A. Each individual and group health insurance policy, health care plan, certificate of health insurance and managed health care plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state shall provide coverage for individuals with insulin-using diabetes, with non-insulin-using diabetes and with elevated blood glucose levels induced by pregnancy. This coverage shall be a basic health care benefit and shall entitle each individual to the medically accepted standard of medical care for diabetes and benefits for diabetes treatment as well as diabetes supplies, and this coverage shall not be reduced or eliminated.

B. Coverage for individuals with diabetes may be subject to deductibles and coinsurance consistent with those imposed on other benefits under the same policy, plan or certificate, as long as the annual deductibles or coinsurance for benefits are no greater than the annual deductibles or coinsurance established for similar benefits within a given policy.

C. When prescribed or diagnosed by a health care practitioner with prescribing authority, all individuals with diabetes as described in Subsection A of this section enrolled in health policies described in that subsection shall be entitled to the following equipment, supplies and appliances to treat diabetes:

(1) blood glucose monitors, including those for the legally blind;

(2) test strips for blood glucose monitors;

(3) visual reading urine and ketone strips;

(4) lancets and lancet devices;

(5) insulin;

(6) injection aids, including those adaptable to meet the needs of the legally blind;

(7) syringes;

(8) prescriptive oral agents for controlling blood sugar levels;

(9) medically necessary podiatric appliances for prevention of feet complications associated with diabetes, including therapeutic molded or depth-inlay shoes, functional orthotics, custom molded inserts, replacement inserts, preventive devices and shoe modifications for prevention and treatment; and

(10) glucagon emergency kits.

D. When prescribed or diagnosed by a health care practitioner with prescribing authority, all individuals with diabetes as described in Subsection A of this section enrolled in health policies described in that subsection shall be entitled to the following basic health care benefits:

(1) diabetes self-management training that shall be provided by a certified, registered or licensed health care professional with recent education in diabetes management, which shall be limited to:

(a) medically necessary visits upon the diagnosis of diabetes;

(b) visits following a physician diagnosis that represents a significant change in the patient's symptoms or condition that warrants changes in the patient's self-management; and

(c) visits when re-education or refresher training is prescribed by a health care practitioner with prescribing authority; and

(2) medical nutrition therapy related to diabetes management.

E. When new or improved equipment, appliances, prescription drugs for the treatment of diabetes, insulin or supplies for the treatment of diabetes are approved by the food and drug administration, all individual or group health insurance policies as described in Subsection A of this section shall:

(1) maintain an adequate formulary to provide these resources to individuals with diabetes; and

(2) guarantee reimbursement or coverage for the equipment, appliances, prescription drug, insulin or supplies described in this subsection within the limits of the health care plan, policy or certificate.

F. The provisions of Subsections A through E of this section shall be enforced by the superintendent.

G. The provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident-only or limited or specified disease policies.

H. For purposes of this section:

(1) "basic health care benefits":

(a) means benefits for medically necessary services consisting of preventive care, emergency care, inpatient and outpatient hospital and physician care, diagnostic laboratory and diagnostic and therapeutic radiological services; and

(b) does not include mental health services or services for alcohol or drug abuse, dental or vision services or long-term rehabilitation treatment; and

(2) "managed health care plan" means a health benefit plan offered by a health care insurer that provides for the delivery of comprehensive basic health care services and medically necessary services to individuals enrolled in the plan through its own employed health care providers or by contracting with selected or participating health care providers. A managed health care plan includes only those plans that provide comprehensive basic health care services to enrollees on a prepaid, capitated basis, including the following:

(a) health maintenance organizations;

(b) preferred provider organizations;

(c) individual practice associations;

(d) competitive medical plans;

(e) exclusive provider organizations;

(f) integrated delivery systems;

(g) independent physician-provider organizations;

(h) physician hospital-provider organizations; and

(i) managed care services organizations.

History: 1978 Comp., § 59A-22-41, enacted by Laws 1997, ch. 7, § 1 and by Laws 1997, ch. 255, § 1.

Duplicate laws. — Laws 1997, ch. 7 § 1 and Laws 1997, ch. 255, § 1 enacted identical provisions of law. Both were compiled at this location.