A. Each individual and group health maintenance organization contract 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 service 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 contract, 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 contract.

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 under an individual or group health maintenance organization contract 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 under an individual or group health maintenance contract shall be entitled to the following basic health care services:

(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, each individual or group health maintenance organization contract 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.

History: 1978 Comp., § 59A-46-43, enacted by Laws 1997, ch. 7, § 3 and by Laws 1997, ch. 255, § 3.

Duplicate laws. — Laws 1997, ch. 7 § 3 and Laws 1997, ch. 255, § 3 enacted identical provisions of law. Both have been compiled at this location.