By Mr. Linsky of Natick, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 997) of David Paul Linsky and others relative to requiring certain insurance policies to include coverage for nicotine based and non-nicotine based smoking cessation products.  Financial Services.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

——————

PETITION OF:

David Paul Linsky

Mark C. Montigny

Martha M. Walz

Bruce E. Tarr

J. James Marzilli, Jr.

Ruth B. Balser

Susan C. Fargo

Michael E. Festa

Kathi-Anne Reinstein

Cory Atkins

Patricia D. Jehlen

John V. Fernandes

——————

In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

——————

An Act curtailing smoking addiction.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 17G the following section:—
Section 17H. The commission shall provide to any active or retired employee of the commonwealth who is insured under the group insurance commission coverage for the cost of nicotine based and non-nicotine based smoking cessation products to eligible enrollees provided that an enrollee shall be provided coverage of no more than two smoking cessation product therapies in a calendar year, and that the products are made available in a manner consistent with existing laws and regulations.

SECTION 2. Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 110K the following section:—
Section 110L. Any individual policy of accident and sickness insurance issued pursuant to section 108, and any group policy of accident and sickness insurance issued pursuant to section 110 shall provide coverage for nicotine based and non-nicotine based smoking cessation products to eligible enrollees provided that an enrollee shall be provided coverage of no more than two smoking cessation product therapies in a calendar year, and that the products are made available in a manner consistent with existing laws and regulations.

SECTION 3. Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 8U the following section:—
Section 8V. Any contract between a subscriber and the corporation under an individual or group hospital service plan that shall be delivered, issued or renewed in the commonwealth shall provide, as benefits to all individual subscribers or members having a principal place of employment within the commonwealth, coverage for nicotine based and non-nicotine based smoking cessation products to eligible enrollees provided that an enrollee shall be provided coverage of no more than two smoking cessation product therapies in a calendar year, and that the products are made available in a manner consistent with existing laws and regulations.

SECTION 4. Chapter 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4U the following section:—
Section 4V. Any subscription certificate under an individual or group medical service agreement that shall be delivered, issued or renewed in the commonwealth shall provide as a benefit for all individual subscribers or member within the commonwealth and all group members having a principal place of employment within the commonwealth, coverage for nicotine based and non-nicotine based smoking cessation products to eligible enrollees provided that an enrollee shall be provided coverage of no more than two smoking cessation product therapies in a calendar year, and that the products are made available in a manner consistent with existing laws and regulations.

SECTION 5. Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4M, the following section:—
Section 4N. Any group health maintenance contract shall provide coverage for nicotine based and non-nicotine based smoking cessation products to eligible enrollees provided that an enrollee shall be provided coverage of no more than two smoking cessation product therapies in a calendar year, and that the products are made available in a manner consistent with existing laws and regulations.