(a) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Inherited metabolic disease” includes (A) a disease for which newborn screening is required under section 19a-55; and (B) cystic fibrosis.

(2) “Low protein modified food product” means a product formulated to have less than one gram of protein per serving and intended for the dietary treatment of an inherited metabolic disease under the direction of a physician.

(3) “Amino acid modified preparation” means a product intended for the dietary treatment of an inherited metabolic disease under the direction of a physician.

(4) “Specialized formula” means a nutritional formula for children up to age twelve that is exempt from the general requirements for nutritional labeling under the statutory and regulatory guidelines of the federal Food and Drug Administration and is intended for use solely under medical supervision in the dietary management of specific diseases.

(b) Each group health insurance policy providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469 delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this state shall provide coverage for amino acid modified preparations and low protein modified food products for the treatment of inherited metabolic diseases if the amino acid modified preparations or low protein modified food products are prescribed for the therapeutic treatment of inherited metabolic diseases and are administered under the direction of a physician.

(c) Each group health insurance policy providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469 delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this state shall provide coverage for specialized formulas when such specialized formulas are medically necessary for the treatment of a disease or condition and are administered under the direction of a physician.

(d) Such policy shall provide coverage for such preparations, food products and formulas on the same basis as outpatient prescription drugs.

(P.A. 97-167, S. 2; P.A. 01-101, S. 2; P.A. 04-173, S. 2; P.A. 07-197, S. 2; P.A. 12-145, S. 55.)

History: P.A. 01-101 defined, in new Subsec. (a)(4), and added coverage, in new Subsec. (c), for specialized formula; P.A. 04-173 amended Subsec. (a)(1) and (4) to redefine “inherited metabolic disease” to include cystic fibrosis, and redefine “specialized formula” to include formula for children up to age 8, instead of age 3, and added Subsec. (d) to require coverage on the same basis as for outpatient prescription drugs; P.A. 07-197 amended Subsec. (a)(4) to redefine “specialized formula” to include formula for children up to age 12, instead of age 8, and amended Subsec. (c) to require coverage to be applicable to policies delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in this state on or after October 1, 2007 (Revisor's note: In Subsecs. (b) and (c), the word “individual” was replaced editorially by the Revisors with the word “group” to correct a codification error and accurately reflect the language of said subsecs., as amended by P.A. 07-197); P.A. 12-145 amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) to delete references to Sec. 38a-469(6), add “amended or continued” re policy and delete 1997 and 2007 date references, effective January 1, 2013.

See Sec. 38a-492c for similar provisions re individual policies.