Requires providers of health care policies to provide coverage for colorectal cancer early detection

BILL NUMBER:S543

Title of bill

An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to providing insurance coverage for colorectal cancer early detection

Purpose

This bill will require health insurance providers to cover the costs of colon screening by colonoscopy in men and women age 50 and older.

Summary of provisions

This bill amends paragraph 27 of subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law, as added by chapter 457 of the laws of 2010, renumbered paragraph 30 and will add a new paragraph 32 to read as follows: (32) Every policy issued or delivered in this state shall provide coverage for colon cancer screening for persons fifty years of age or older. Such coverage shall include, but not be limited to, the costs of a colonoscopy or coloscopy.

Justification

Colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer in America and is the primary cancer killer among nonsmokers. Without preventative action, one in every 17 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer. However, with colonoscopy screening, that risk is reduced to as low as one in 100 people, Studies have found that a colonoscopy can detect cancer in patients without symptoms that would be missed by other screening methods. With such a preventative screening technique, cancer is detected earlier and treatment is more likely to be effective.

Legislative history

2012: S.6941 Referred to Insurance

Fiscal implications

Any cost of enacting this legislation is far overshadowed by potential lives and dollars saved by early detection and treatment of colon cancer.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to any policy issued, delivered, renewed, and/or modified on or after the effective date of this act.