Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT


Drafting Number:

Prime Sponsor(s):

LLS 98-189

Rep. Gotlieb

Sen. Chlouber

Date:

Bill Status:

Fiscal Analyst:

February 4, 1998

House HEWI

Will Meyer (866-4976)

 

TITLE:            CONCERNING THE REQUIREMENT OF HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE TREATMENT OF DIABETES.



Summary of Assessment


            The provisions of this bill would require health benefit plans to provide coverage for equipment, supplies, and outpatient self-management training and educational services, including medical nutrition therapy, for the treatment of diabetes. It would require such services be prescribed by a health care professional licensed to prescribe such items. The bill would become effective July 1, 1998, and would apply to all policies, programs, or contracts issued or renewed on or after that date.


            The bill would require the Division of Insurance, Department of Regulatory Agencies, to process supplemental forms filed by carriers not currently providing this benefit. Given the effective date, the bill would have a minimal impact on the workload of the division. This increase in workload could be absorbed by current staff, but may require re-prioritizing existing workload. The division indicates that by changing the effective date to January 1, 1999, insurers could make the necessary changes in the normal course of their filings and have no impact on the division or the insurers themselves. This bill would not impact any other agency of the state, or unit of local government. Therefore, this bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact.



Departments Contacted


            Regulatory Agencies              Health Care Policy and Financing                  Personnel