Effective 28 Aug 1999

376.1220. Insurance coverage for newborn hearing screenings mandated. — 1. Each policy issued by an entity offering individual and group health insurance which provides coverage on an expense-incurred basis, individual or group health service, or indemnity contracts issued by a nonprofit corporation, individual and group service contracts issued by a health maintenance organization, all self-insured group health arrangements to the extent not preempted by federal law, and all health care plans provided by managed health care delivery entities of any type or description that are delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this state shall provide coverage for newborn hearing screening, necessary rescreening, audiological assessment and follow-up, and initial amplification.

2. The health care service required by this section shall not be subject to any greater deductible or co-payment than other similar health care services provided by the policy, contract or plan.

3. This section shall not apply to a supplemental insurance policy, including a life care contract, accident-only policy, specified disease policy, hospital policy providing a fixed daily benefit only, Medicare supplement policy, long-term care policy, short-term major medical policies of six months or less duration, or any other supplemental policy as determined by the director of the department of commerce and insurance.

4. Coverage for newborn hearing screening and any necessary rescreening and audiological assessment shall be provided to newborns eligible for medical assistance pursuant to section 208.151, and the children's health program pursuant to sections 208.631 to 208.660, with payment for the newborn hearing screening required in section 191.925, and any necessary rescreening, audiological assessment and follow-up, and amplification as described in section 191.928.

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(L. 1999 H.B. 401 § 376.685)

CROSS REFERENCE:

Rulemaking authority, 191.937