Bill

Bill > S939


NJ S939

NJ S939
Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for persons 18 or younger with diagnosed complex medical needs.


summary

Introduced
01/31/2022
In Committee
01/31/2022
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2024

Introduced Session

2022-2023 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires health insurance carriers, including insurance companies, health service corporations, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, or health maintenance organizations authorized to issue health benefits plans in New Jersey or any entity contracted to administer health benefits in connection with the State Health Benefits Program or School Employees' Health Benefits Program to provide coverage for persons 18 years of age or younger with diagnosed complex medical needs. The bill requires that the benefits be provided for expenses incurred in conducting medical services, procedures, or testing, nursing care, and the purchase of medical equipment or prescription drugs to persons 18 years of age or younger with diagnosed complex medical needs, provided the attending licensed health care provider determines it medically necessary. In addition, the bill requires that health insurance carriers and contracts for health benefits or prescription drug benefits purchased by the State Health Benefits Program and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program approve any benefit for a person 18 years of age or younger with diagnosed complex medical needs within three days of receipt of a letter from the attending licensed health care provider and shall not condition the payment of any benefit for a medical service, procedure, test, nursing care, or purchase of medical equipment or prescription drug upon any pre-approval or precertification of any kind if that medical service, procedure, test, nursing care, or purchase of medical equipment or prescription drug is otherwise covered under the health benefits plan and it has been prescribed by a licensed health care provider.

AI Summary

This bill requires health insurance carriers, including insurance companies, health service corporations, and health maintenance organizations, to provide coverage for persons 18 years of age or younger with diagnosed "complex medical needs." This means a diagnosis, treatment, or procedure with a high degree of outcome variation that requires specialized skills, or a condition that is emergent, persistent, substantially disabling, or life-threatening. The bill mandates that carriers approve any benefit for these individuals within three days of receiving a letter from their attending healthcare provider and cannot condition payment on any pre-approval or precertification. The bill applies to health benefits plans or prescription drug benefits plans issued or purchased in New Jersey on or after the effective date.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee (on 01/31/2022)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...