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1999 SESSION
HB 2197 Low protein foods for individuals with amino acid metabolism.
Introduced by: Robert F. McDonnell | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Coverage for certain low protein foods for individuals diagnosed with inborn errors of amino acid metabolism. Requires each (i) insurer issuing individual or group accident and sickness insurance policies providing hospital, medical and surgical or major medical coverage on an expense-incurred basis; (ii) corporation providing individual or group accident and sickness subscription contracts, and (iii) health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services, whose policy, contract or plan, including any certificate or evidence of coverage issued in connection with such policy, contract or plan, includes coverage for prescription drugs on an outpatient basis, to offer and make available coverage for low protein foods which are prescribed for the treatment of inborn errors of amino acid metabolism and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for such treatment. This new section specifically notes that low protein foods prescribed for the treatment of an inborn error of amino acid metabolism will be deemed to be prescription drugs; however, commercial food products which are naturally low in protein but were not developed for the treatment of phenylketonuria will not be included. The section will not require coverage for experimental drugs for the treatment of an inborn error of amino acid metabolism which are not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, or for prescription drugs in any contract, policy or plan that does not otherwise provide such coverage. This provision notes that closed formularies are not precluded so long as such formularies include low protein foods for the treatment of inborn errors of amino acid metabolism. This section will not apply to short-term travel or accident-only policies, or to short-term nonrenewable policies of not more than six months’ duration. The bill’s provisions will apply to policies, contracts, and plans delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in Virginia on and after July 1, 1999. Diseases classified as inborn errors of amino acid metabolism include phenylketonuria, maple syrup urine disease and homocystinuria—all of which can be diagnosed at birth or soon after and will cause mental retardation in the absence of treatment.
FULL TEXT
HISTORY
- 01/20/99 House: Presented & ordered printed 999049350
- 01/20/99 House: Referred to Committee on Corporations, Insurance and Banking
- 01/26/99 House: Assigned to C. I. B. sub-committee: 3
- 02/01/99 House: No action taken by Corporations, Insurance and Banking by voice vote