HR 1691 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To require that health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

March 24, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Ms. DELAURO (for herself, Mr. BARTON of Texas, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. ARCURI, Mr. BACA, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. HILL, Ms. BEAN, Ms. BERKLEY, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. BERRY, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. BISHOP of New York, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. BOREN, Mr. BOSWELL, Mr. BOYD, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Mr. BRALEY of Iowa, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. CARDOZA, Mr. CARNEY, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mr. CHANDLER, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. CLAY, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. COHEN, Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. COOPER, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. CUELLAR, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mrs. HALVORSON, Mr. DEFAZIO, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. DICKS, Mr. DINGELL, Mr. DOGGETT, Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland, Mr. DOYLE, Mr. EDWARDS of Texas, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. MASSA, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. ETHERIDGE, Mr. FARR, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. GERLACH, Mr. NYE, Mr. GONZALEZ, Mr. GORDON of Tennessee, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. GRIFFITH, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. HARE, Ms. HARMAN, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. HIGGINS, Mr. HIMES, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. HINOJOSA, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. HOLT, Mr. INSLEE, Mr. ISRAEL, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. MATHESON, Mr. BARROW, Mr. SARBANES, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. KAGEN, Mr. KANJORSKI, Ms. KAPTUR, Mrs. DAHLKEMPER, Mr. MEEK of Florida, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. KILDEE, Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan, Ms. KILROY, Mr. KIND, Mr. KLEIN of Florida, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Ms. LEE of California, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. LOBIONDO, Mr. LOEBSACK, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California, Mrs. CAPPS, Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. LYNCH, Mr. MACK, Mr. MAFFEI, Mrs. MALONEY, Ms. FUDGE, Ms. MATSUI, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. MCHUGH, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. MELANCON, Mr. MICHAUD, Mr. MILLER of North Carolina, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. MOORE of Kansas, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. MORAN of Kansas, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut, Mr. MURTHA, Mrs. MYRICK, Mr. NADLER of New York, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. NORTON, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. OLVER, Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. TONKO, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. PETERSON, Ms. PINGREE of Maine, Mr. PLATTS, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. REYES, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. RUSH, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. SCHIFF, Ms. SCHWARTZ, Mr. SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. SESTAK, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. SIRES, Mr. SKELTON, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. SNYDER, Mr. SPACE, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. SPRATT, Mr. STARK, Mr. STUPAK, Ms. SUTTON, Mrs. TAUSCHER, Mr. TAYLOR, Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mr. TIERNEY, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. TSONGAS, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Ms. VELAZQUEZ, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. WEINER, Mr. WELCH, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. WILSON of Ohio, Mr. WITTMAN, Mr. WOLF, Ms. WOOLSEY, Ms. TITUS, Mr. ALTMIRE, Mr. RUPPERSBERGER, Mr. MCNERNEY, Mr. CLYBURN, Ms. MARKEY of Colorado, Mr. HALL of Texas, Ms. KOSMAS, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, Mr. FILNER, Mr. SOUDER, and Mr. POLIS of Colorado) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To require that health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2009’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) According to the American Cancer Society, excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 40,480 women and 450 men died from breast cancer in 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) According to the American Cancer Society, in 2008 an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in women, and an estimated 1,990 invasive breast cancer cases were diagnosed in men; and in addition, an estimated 67,770 new cases of in situ breast cancer occurred in women in 2008, and of these, approximately 85 percent were ductal carcinoma in situ.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) According to the American Cancer Society, most breast cancer patients undergo some type of surgical treatment, which may involve lumpectomy (surgical removal of the tumor with clear margins) or mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast) with removal of some of the axillary (underarm) lymph nodes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The offering and operation of health plans affect commerce among the States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Health care providers located in a State serve patients who reside in the State and patients who reside in other States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) In order to provide for uniform treatment of health care providers and patients among the States, it is necessary to cover health plans operating in one State as well as health plans operating among the several States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) Research has indicated that treatment for breast cancer varies according to type of insurance coverage and State of residence.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) Currently, 20 States mandate minimum inpatient coverage after a patient undergoes a mastectomy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) Breast cancer patients have reported adverse outcomes, including infection and inadequately controlled pain, resulting from premature hospital discharge following breast cancer surgery.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974.

(a) In General- Subpart B of part 7 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1185 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 715. REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR MINIMUM HOSPITAL STAY FOR MASTECTOMIES, LUMPECTOMIES, AND LYMPH NODE DISSECTIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER AND COVERAGE FOR SECONDARY CONSULTATIONS.

‘(a) Inpatient Care-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, that provides medical and surgical benefits shall ensure that inpatient (and in the case of a lumpectomy, outpatient) coverage and radiation therapy is provided for breast cancer treatment. Such plan or coverage may not--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) insofar as the attending physician, in consultation with the patient, determines it to be medically necessary--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with a mastectomy or breast conserving surgery (such as a lumpectomy) for the treatment of breast cancer to less than 48 hours; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with a lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer to less than 24 hours; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) require that a provider obtain authorization from the plan or the issuer for prescribing any length of stay required under this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) EXCEPTION- Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the provision of inpatient coverage if the attending physician, in consultation with the patient, determines that either a shorter period of hospital stay, or outpatient treatment, is medically appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Prohibition on Certain Modifications- In implementing the requirements of this section, a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not modify the terms and conditions of coverage based on the determination by a participant or beneficiary to request less than the minimum coverage required under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Notice- A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan shall provide notice to each participant and beneficiary under such plan regarding the coverage required by this section in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Such notice shall be in writing and prominently positioned in the summary of the plan made available or distributed by the plan or issuer and shall be transmitted--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) in the next mailing made by the plan or issuer to the participant or beneficiary; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) as part of any yearly informational packet sent to the participant or beneficiary;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





whichever is earlier.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Secondary Consultations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, that provides coverage with respect to medical and surgical services provided in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer shall ensure that coverage is provided for secondary consultations, on terms and conditions that are no more restrictive than those applicable to the initial consultations, by specialists in the appropriate medical fields (including pathology, radiology, and oncology) to confirm or refute such diagnosis. Such plan or issuer shall ensure that coverage is provided for such secondary consultation whether such consultation is based on a positive or negative initial diagnosis. In any case in which the attending physician certifies in writing that services necessary for such a secondary consultation are not sufficiently available from specialists operating under the plan with respect to whose services coverage is otherwise provided under such plan or by such issuer, such plan or issuer shall ensure that coverage is provided with respect to the services necessary for the secondary consultation with any other specialist selected by the attending physician for such purpose at no additional cost to the individual beyond that which the individual would have paid if the specialist was participating in the network of the plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) EXCEPTION- Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed as requiring the provision of secondary consultations where the patient determines not to seek such a consultation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Prohibition on Penalties or Incentives- A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) penalize or otherwise reduce or limit the reimbursement of a provider or specialist because the provider or specialist provided care to a participant or beneficiary in accordance with this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) provide financial or other incentives to a physician or specialist to induce the physician or specialist to keep the length of inpatient stays of patients following a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or a lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer below certain limits or to limit referrals for secondary consultations; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) provide financial or other incentives to a physician or specialist to induce the physician or specialist to refrain from referring a participant or beneficiary for a secondary consultation that would otherwise be covered by the plan or coverage involved under subsection (d).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 714 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘Sec. 715. Required coverage for minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissections for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Effective Dates-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after the date that is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SPECIAL RULE FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS- In the case of a group health plan maintained pursuant to 1 or more collective bargaining agreements between employee representatives and 1 or more employers ratified before the date of enactment of this Act, the amendments made by this section shall not apply to plan years beginning before the date on which the last collective bargaining agreements relating to the plan terminates (determined without regard to any extension thereof agreed to after the date of enactment of this Act). For purposes of this paragraph, any plan amendment made pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement relating to the plan which amends the plan solely to conform to any requirement added by this section shall not be treated as a termination of such collective bargaining agreement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT RELATING TO THE GROUP MARKET.

(a) In General- Subpart 2 of part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-4 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 2708. REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR MINIMUM HOSPITAL STAY FOR MASTECTOMIES, LUMPECTOMIES, AND LYMPH NODE DISSECTIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER AND COVERAGE FOR SECONDARY CONSULTATIONS.

‘(a) Inpatient Care-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, that provides medical and surgical benefits shall ensure that inpatient (and in the case of a lumpectomy, outpatient) coverage and radiation therapy is provided for breast cancer treatment. Such plan or coverage may not--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) insofar as the attending physician, in consultation with the patient, determines it to be medically necessary--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with a mastectomy or breast conserving surgery (such as a lumpectomy) for the treatment of breast cancer to less than 48 hours; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with a lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer to less than 24 hours; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) require that a provider obtain authorization from the plan or the issuer for prescribing any length of stay required under this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) EXCEPTION- Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the provision of inpatient coverage if the attending physician, in consultation with the patient, determines that either a shorter period of hospital stay, or outpatient treatment, is medically appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Prohibition on Certain Modifications- In implementing the requirements of this section, a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not modify the terms and conditions of coverage based on the determination by a participant or beneficiary to request less than the minimum coverage required under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Notice- A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan shall provide notice to each participant and beneficiary under such plan regarding the coverage required by this section in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Such notice shall be in writing and prominently positioned in the summary of the plan made available or distributed by the plan or issuer and shall be transmitted--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) in the next mailing made by the plan or issuer to the participant or beneficiary; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) as part of any yearly informational packet sent to the participant or beneficiary;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





whichever is earlier.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Secondary Consultations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, that provides coverage with respect to medical and surgical services provided in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer shall ensure that coverage is provided for secondary consultations, on terms and conditions that are no more restrictive than those applicable to the initial consultations, by specialists in the appropriate medical fields (including pathology, radiology, and oncology) to confirm or refute such diagnosis. Such plan or issuer shall ensure that coverage is provided for such secondary consultation whether such consultation is based on a positive or negative initial diagnosis. In any case in which the attending physician certifies in writing that services necessary for such a secondary consultation are not sufficiently available from specialists operating under the plan with respect to whose services coverage is otherwise provided under such plan or by such issuer, such plan or issuer shall ensure that coverage is provided with respect to the services necessary for the secondary consultation with any other specialist selected by the attending physician for such purpose at no additional cost to the individual beyond that which the individual would have paid if the specialist was participating in the network of the plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) EXCEPTION- Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed as requiring the provision of secondary consultations where the patient determines not to seek such a consultation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Prohibition on Penalties or Incentives- A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) penalize or otherwise reduce or limit the reimbursement of a provider or specialist because the provider or specialist provided care to a participant or beneficiary in accordance with this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) provide financial or other incentives to a physician or specialist to induce the physician or specialist to keep the length of inpatient stays of patients following a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or a lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer below certain limits or to limit referrals for secondary consultations; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) provide financial or other incentives to a physician or specialist to induce the physician or specialist to refrain from referring a participant or beneficiary for a secondary consultation that would otherwise be covered by the plan or coverage involved under subsection (d).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Effective Dates-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The amendments made by this section shall apply to group health plans for plan years beginning on or after 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SPECIAL RULE FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS- In the case of a group health plan maintained pursuant to 1 or more collective bargaining agreements between employee representatives and 1 or more employers ratified before the date of enactment of this Act, the amendments made by this section shall not apply to plan years beginning before the date on which the last collective bargaining agreements relating to the plan terminates (determined without regard to any extension thereof agreed to after the date of enactment of this Act). For purposes of this paragraph, any plan amendment made pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement relating to the plan which amends the plan solely to conform to any requirement added by this section shall not be treated as a termination of such collective bargaining agreement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. AMENDMENT TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT RELATING TO THE INDIVIDUAL MARKET.

(a) In General- Subpart 2 of part B of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-51 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 2754. REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR MINIMUM HOSPITAL STAY FOR MASTECTOMIES, LUMPECTOMIES, AND LYMPH NODE DISSECTIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER AND SECONDARY CONSULTATIONS.

‘The provisions of section 2708 shall apply to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in the individual market in the same manner as they apply to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in connection with a group health plan in the small or large group market.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to health insurance coverage offered, sold, issued, renewed, in effect, or operated in the individual market on or after the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986.

(a) In General- Subchapter B of chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in the table of sections, by inserting after the item relating to section 9813 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘Sec. 9814. Required coverage for minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissections for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting after section 9813 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 9814. REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR MINIMUM HOSPITAL STAY FOR MASTECTOMIES, LUMPECTOMIES, AND LYMPH NODE DISSECTIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER AND COVERAGE FOR SECONDARY CONSULTATIONS.

‘(a) Inpatient Care-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- A group health plan that provides medical and surgical benefits shall ensure that inpatient (and in the case of a lumpectomy, outpatient) coverage and radiation therapy is provided for breast cancer treatment. Such plan may not--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) insofar as the attending physician, in consultation with the patient, determines it to be medically necessary--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with a mastectomy or breast conserving surgery (such as a lumpectomy) for the treatment of breast cancer to less than 48 hours; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with a lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer to less than 24 hours; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) require that a provider obtain authorization from the plan for prescribing any length of stay required under this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) EXCEPTION- Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the provision of inpatient coverage if the attending physician, in consultation with the patient, determines that either a shorter period of hospital stay, or outpatient treatment, is medically appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Prohibition on Certain Modifications- In implementing the requirements of this section, a group health plan may not modify the terms and conditions of coverage based on the determination by a participant or beneficiary to request less than the minimum coverage required under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Notice- A group health plan shall provide notice to each participant and beneficiary under such plan regarding the coverage required by this section in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Such notice shall be in writing and prominently positioned in the summary of the plan made available or distributed by the plan and shall be transmitted--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) in the next mailing made by the plan to the participant or beneficiary; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) as part of any yearly informational packet sent to the participant or beneficiary;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





whichever is earlier.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Secondary Consultations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- A group health plan that provides coverage with respect to medical and surgical services provided in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer shall ensure that coverage is provided for secondary consultations, on terms and conditions that are no more restrictive than those applicable to the initial consultations, by specialists in the appropriate medical fields (including pathology, radiology, and oncology) to confirm or refute such diagnosis. Such plan or issuer shall ensure that coverage is provided for such secondary consultation whether such consultation is based on a positive or negative initial diagnosis. In any case in which the attending physician certifies in writing that services necessary for such a secondary consultation are not sufficiently available from specialists operating under the plan with respect to whose services coverage is otherwise provided under such plan or by such issuer, such plan or issuer shall ensure that coverage is provided with respect to the services necessary for the secondary consultation with any other specialist selected by the attending physician for such purpose at no additional cost to the individual beyond that which the individual would have paid if the specialist was participating in the network of the plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) EXCEPTION- Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed as requiring the provision of secondary consultations where the patient determines not to seek such a consultation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Prohibition on Penalties- A group health plan may not--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) penalize or otherwise reduce or limit the reimbursement of a provider or specialist because the provider or specialist provided care to a participant or beneficiary in accordance with this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) provide financial or other incentives to a physician or specialist to induce the physician or specialist to keep the length of inpatient stays of patients following a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or a lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer below certain limits or to limit referrals for secondary consultations; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) provide financial or other incentives to a physician or specialist to induce the physician or specialist to refrain from referring a participant or beneficiary for a secondary consultation that would otherwise be covered by the plan involved under subsection (d).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Effective Dates-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SPECIAL RULE FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS- In the case of a group health plan maintained pursuant to 1 or more collective bargaining agreements between employee representatives and 1 or more employers ratified before the date of enactment of this Act, the amendments made by this section shall not apply to plan years beginning before the date on which the last collective bargaining agreements relating to the plan terminates (determined without regard to any extension thereof agreed to after the date of enactment of this Act). For purposes of this paragraph, any plan amendment made pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement relating to the plan which amends the plan solely to conform to any requirement added by this section shall not be treated as a termination of such collective bargaining agreement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. OPPORTUNITY FOR INDEPENDENT, EXTERNAL THIRD PARTY REVIEWS OF CERTAIN NONRENEWALS AND DISCONTINUATIONS, INCLUDING RESCISSIONS, OF INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

(a) Clarification Regarding Application of Guaranteed Renewability of Individual Health Insurance Coverage- Section 2742 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-42) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in its heading, by inserting ‘, continuation in force, including prohibition of rescission,’ after ‘guaranteed renewability’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘, including without rescission,’ after ‘continue in force’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting before the period at the end the following: ‘, including intentional concealment of material facts regarding a health condition related to the condition for which coverage is being claimed’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Opportunity for Independent, External Third Party Review in Certain Cases- Subpart 1 of part B of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by adding at the end the following new section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 2746. OPPORTUNITY FOR INDEPENDENT, EXTERNAL THIRD PARTY REVIEW IN CERTAIN CASES.

‘(a) Notice and Review Right- If a health insurance issuer determines to nonrenew or not continue in force, including rescind, health insurance coverage for an individual in the individual market on the basis described in section 2742(b)(2) before such nonrenewal, discontinuation, or rescission, may take effect the issuer shall provide the individual with notice of such proposed nonrenewal, discontinuation, or rescission and an opportunity for a review of such determination by an independent, external third party under procedures specified by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Independent Determination- If the individual requests such review by an independent, external third party of a nonrenewal, discontinuation, or rescission of health insurance coverage, the coverage shall remain in effect until such third party determines that the coverage may be nonrenewed, discontinued, or rescinded under section 2742(b)(2).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply after the date of the enactment of this Act with respect to health insurance coverage issued before, on, or after such date.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink