Bill Text - HB1571 (2024)

Relative to requiring insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices for people with diabetes.


Revision: Oct. 5, 2023, 11:28 a.m.

 

2024 SESSION

24-2125.0

05/10

 

HOUSE BILL [bill number]

 

AN ACT relative to requiring insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices for people with diabetes.

 

SPONSORS: [sponsors]

 

COMMITTEE: [committee]

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill requires insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices for people with diabetes.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-2125.0

05/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

 

AN ACT relative to requiring insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices for people with diabetes.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Accident and Health Insurance; Individual; Coverage for Diabetes Services and Supplies; Glucose Monitoring Devices.  Amend RSA 415:6-e to read as follows:

415:6-e Coverage for Diabetes Services and Supplies.

I.  Each insurer that issues or renews any individual policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses, shall provide to certificate holders of such insurance, who are residents of this state, coverage for medically appropriate and necessary outpatient self-management training and educational services, pursuant to a written order of a primary care physician or practitioner, including, but not limited to medical nutrition therapy for the treatment of diabetes, provided by a certified, registered, or licensed health care professional with expertise in diabetes, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Each insurer that issues or renews any individual policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses which provides a prescription rider shall cover medically appropriate or necessary insulin, oral agents, and equipment used to treat diabetes subject to the terms and conditions of the policy and this section.

II.  Each insurer that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs shall cap the total amount that a covered person is required to pay for each covered insulin drug prescription at an amount not to exceed $30 for each 30-day supply of each insulin prescription. The maximum $30 copayment for each 30-day supply of each covered insulin drug prescription shall apply when an original prescription is dispensed as well as when refills of the prescription are dispensed, including early refills. Coverage for prescription insulin drugs shall not be subject to any deductible.

III.  Each insurer that issues or renews any individual policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses which provides for durable medical equipment coverage shall provide coverage for medically appropriate or necessary equipment used to treat diabetes subject to the terms and conditions of the policy and this paragraph.  Equipment shall include continuous or traditional blood glucose monitors and the necessary supplies for any person with a diagnosis of diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes or any other type of diabetes or hypoglycemia.  In this paragraph, a “continuous glucose monitor” means an instrument or device designed for the purpose of measuring glucose levels continually through a sensor that slightly penetrates a person’s skin when applied and is designed to remain in place for at least 7 days.  "Supplies" shall include, but are not limited to, sensors and test strips.

(a)  Coverage under this paragraph shall be provided without regard to the form of treatment.  Insulin utilization is not a requirement for benefiting from glucose monitoring.

(b)  To qualify for continued coverage under this paragraph, the recipient must participate in follow-up care with their treating licensed health care practitioner, in person or through telehealth, at least once every 6 months during the first 18 months of the glucose monitoring, to assess the efficacy of using the monitor for treatment of his or her diabetes.  After the first 18 months, such follow-up care must occur a minimum of once every 12 months.

(c)  Upon approval of new or improved glucose monitoring devices and supplies by the Food and Drug Administration, all policies governed by this section shall guarantee coverage of new diabetes equipment and supplies when medically appropriate and prescribed by a licensed health care practitioner qualified to treat diabetes.

(d)  Beginning July 1, 2024, coverage for glucose monitoring equipment and supplies shall have a limit on the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of all medically necessary covered diabetes devices that are in accordance with the insured's diabetes treatment plan at an amount not to exceed $30.  These devices shall be covered without being subject to a deductible and any cost sharing paid by an insured shall be applied toward the insured’s deductible obligation.  Nothing in this paragraph prevents an insurer from reducing an insured’s copayment or coinsurance.

2  Accident and Health Insurance; Group; Coverage for Diabetes Services and Supplies; Glucose Monitoring Devices.  Amend RSA 415:18-f to read as follows:

415:18-f  Coverage for Diabetes Services and Supplies.  

I.  Each insurer that issues or renews any policy, plan, or contract of group accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses, shall provide each group, or to the portion of each group comprised of certificate holders of such insurance who are residents of this state, coverage for medically appropriate and necessary outpatient self-management training and educational services, pursuant to a written order of a primary care physician or practitioner, including, but not limited to medical nutrition therapy for the treatment of diabetes, provided by a certified, registered, or licensed health care professional with expertise in diabetes, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.  Each insurer that issues or renews any group policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses which provides a prescription rider shall cover medically appropriate or necessary insulin, oral agents, and equipment used to treat diabetes subject to the terms and conditions of the policy and this section.

II.  Each insurer that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs shall cap the total amount that a covered person is required to pay for each covered insulin drug prescription at an amount not to exceed $30 for each 30-day supply of each insulin prescription.  The maximum $30 copayment for each 30-day supply of each covered insulin drug prescription shall apply when an original prescription is dispensed as well as when refills of the prescription are dispensed, including early refills.  Coverage for prescription insulin drugs shall not be subject to any deductible.

III.  Each insurer that issues or renews any group policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses which provides for durable medical equipment coverage shall provide coverage for medically appropriate or necessary equipment used to treat diabetes subject to the terms and conditions of the policy and this paragraph.  Equipment shall include continuous or traditional blood glucose monitors and the necessary supplies for any person with a diagnosis of diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes or any other type of diabetes or hypoglycemia.  In this paragraph, a “continuous glucose monitor” means an instrument or device designed for the purpose of measuring glucose levels continually through a sensor that slightly penetrates a person’s skin when applied and is designed to remain in place for at least 7 days.  "Supplies" shall include, but are not limited to, sensors and test strips.

(a)  Coverage under this paragraph shall be provided without regard to the form of treatment.  Insulin utilization is not a requirement for benefiting from glucose monitoring.

(b)  To qualify for continued coverage under this paragraph, the recipient must participate in follow-up care with their treating licensed health care practitioner, in person or through telehealth, at least once every 6 months during the first 18 months of the glucose monitoring, to assess the efficacy of using the monitor for treatment of his or her diabetes.  After the first 18 months, such follow-up care must occur a minimum of once every 12 months.

(c)  Upon approval of new or improved glucose monitoring devices and supplies by the Food and Drug Administration, all policies governed by this section shall guarantee coverage of new diabetes equipment and supplies when medically appropriate and prescribed by a licensed health care practitioner qualified to treat diabetes.

(d)  Beginning July 1, 2024, coverage for glucose monitoring equipment and supplies shall have a limit on the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of all medically necessary covered diabetes devices that are in accordance with the insured's diabetes treatment plan at an amount not to exceed $30.  These devices shall be covered without being subject to a deductible and any cost sharing paid by an insured shall be applied toward the insured’s deductible obligation.  Nothing in this paragraph prevents an insurer from reducing an insured’s copayment or coinsurance.

3  Health Service Corporation; Coverage for Diabetes Services and Supplies; Glucose Monitoring Devices.  Amend RSA 420-A:17-a to read as follows:

420-A:17-a  Coverage for Diabetes Services and Supplies.  

I.  Every health service corporation and every similar corporation licensed under the laws of another state that issues or renews any policy, plan, or contract of individual or group accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses, shall provide to each individual or group, or to the portion of each group comprised of certificate holders of such insurance who are residents of this state, coverage for the medically appropriate and necessary outpatient self-management training and educational services, pursuant to a written order of a primary care physician or practitioner, including, but not limited to medical nutrition therapy for the treatment of diabetes, provided by a certified, registered, or licensed health care professional with expertise in diabetes, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.  Each health service corporation that issues or renews any individual or group policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses which provides a prescription rider shall cover medically appropriate or necessary insulin, oral agents, and equipment used to treat diabetes subject to the terms and conditions of the policy and this section.

II.  Each health service corporation that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs shall cap the total amount that a covered person is required to pay for each covered insulin drug prescription at an amount not to exceed $30 for each 30-day supply of each insulin prescription.  The maximum $30 copayment for each 30-day supply of each covered insulin drug prescription shall apply when an original prescription is dispensed as well as when refills of the prescription are dispensed, including early refills.  Coverage for prescription insulin drugs shall not be subject to any deductible.

III.  Each health service corporation that issues or renews any individual or group policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses which provides for durable medical equipment coverage shall provide coverage for medically appropriate or necessary equipment used to treat diabetes subject to the terms and conditions of the policy and this paragraph.  Equipment shall include continuous or traditional blood glucose monitors and the necessary supplies for any person with a diagnosis of diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes or any other type of diabetes or hypoglycemia.  In this paragraph, a “continuous glucose monitor” means an instrument or device designed for the purpose of measuring glucose levels continually through a sensor that slightly penetrates a person’s skin when applied and is designed to remain in place for at least 7 days.  "Supplies" shall include, but are not limited to, sensors and test strips.

(a)  Coverage under this paragraph shall be provided without regard to the form of treatment.  Insulin utilization is not a requirement for benefiting from glucose monitoring.

(b)  To qualify for continued coverage under this paragraph, the recipient must participate in follow-up care with their treating licensed health care practitioner, in person or through telehealth, at least once every 6 months during the first 18 months of the glucose monitoring, to assess the efficacy of using the monitor for treatment of his or her diabetes.  After the first 18 months, such follow-up care must occur a minimum of once every 12 months.

(c)  Upon approval of new or improved glucose monitoring devices and supplies by the Food and Drug Administration, all policies governed by this section shall guarantee coverage of new diabetes equipment and supplies when medically appropriate and prescribed by a licensed health care practitioner qualified to treat diabetes.

(d)  Beginning July 1, 2024, coverage for glucose monitoring equipment and supplies shall have a limit on the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of all medically necessary covered diabetes devices that are in accordance with the insured's diabetes treatment plan at an amount not to exceed $30.  These devices shall be covered without being subject to a deductible and any cost sharing paid by an insured shall be applied toward the insured’s deductible obligation.  Nothing in this paragraph prevents an insurer from reducing an insured’s copayment or coinsurance.

4  Health Maintenance Organizations; Coverage for Diabetes Services and Supplies; Glucose Monitoring Devices.  Amend RSA 420-B:8-k to read as follows:

420-B:8-k  Coverage for Diabetes Services and Supplies.  

I.  Every health maintenance organization and every similar corporation licensed under the laws of another state that issues or renews any policy, plan, or contract of individual or group health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses, shall provide to each individual or group, or to the portion of each group comprised of certificate holders of such insurance who are residents of this state, coverage for the medically appropriate and necessary outpatient self-management training and educational services, pursuant to a written order of a primary care physician or practitioner, including, but not limited to medical nutrition therapy for the treatment of diabetes, provided by a certified, registered, or licensed health care professional with expertise in diabetes, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.  Each health maintenance organization that issues or renews any individual or group policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses which provides a prescription rider shall cover medically appropriate or necessary insulin, oral agents, and equipment used to treat diabetes subject to the terms and conditions of the policy and this section.

II.  Each health maintenance organization that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs shall cap the total amount that a covered person is required to pay for each covered insulin drug prescription at an amount not to exceed $30 for each 30-day supply of each insulin prescription.  The maximum $30 copayment for each 30-day supply of each covered insulin drug prescription shall apply when an original prescription is dispensed as well as when refills of the prescription are dispensed, including early refills.  Coverage for prescription insulin drugs shall not be subject to any deductible.

III.  Each health maintenance organization that issues or renews any individual or group policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses which provides for durable medical equipment coverage shall provide coverage for medically appropriate or necessary equipment used to treat diabetes subject to the terms and conditions of the policy and this paragraph.  Equipment shall include continuous or traditional blood glucose monitors and the necessary supplies for any person with a diagnosis of diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes or any other type of diabetes or hypoglycemia.  In this paragraph, a “continuous glucose monitor” means an instrument or device designed for the purpose of measuring glucose levels continually through a sensor that slightly penetrates a person’s skin when applied and is designed to remain in place for at least 7 days.  "Supplies" shall include, but are not limited to, sensors and test strips.

(a)  Coverage under this paragraph shall be provided without regard to the form of treatment.  Insulin utilization is not a requirement for benefiting from glucose monitoring.

(b)  To qualify for continued coverage under this paragraph, the recipient must participate in follow-up care with their treating licensed health care practitioner, in person or through telehealth, at least once every 6 months during the first 18 months of the glucose monitoring, to assess the efficacy of using the monitor for treatment of his or her diabetes.  After the first 18 months, such follow-up care must occur a minimum of once every 12 months.

(c)  Upon approval of new or improved glucose monitoring devices and supplies by the Food and Drug Administration, all policies governed by this section shall guarantee coverage of new diabetes equipment and supplies when medically appropriate and prescribed by a licensed health care practitioner qualified to treat diabetes.

(d)  Beginning July 1, 2024, coverage for glucose monitoring equipment and supplies shall have a limit on the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of all medically necessary covered diabetes devices that are in accordance with the insured's diabetes treatment plan at an amount not to exceed $30.  These devices shall be covered without being subject to a deductible and any cost sharing paid by an insured shall be applied toward the insured’s deductible obligation.  Nothing in this paragraph prevents an insurer from reducing an insured’s copayment or coinsurance.

5  Application; Coverage for Diabetes Services and Supplies; Managed Care Law and New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program.  Any health carrier, including a managed care organization awarded contracts under Medicaid managed care pursuant to RSA 126-A:5, XIX, and a private insurer offering services pursuant to the New Hampshire granite advantage health care program under RSA 126-AA, shall comply with the requirements of RSA 420-B:8-k, regarding coverage of diabetes services and supplies, including, but not limited to coverage for insulin and glucose monitoring devices.

6  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.