Bill > AB399

This bill requires various health insurance providers in Nevada, including private insurers, group health plans, health maintenance organizations, and Medicaid, to cover medically necessary treatment for severe obesity for individuals 18 years and older. Specifically, the bill mandates coverage for bariatric surgery and related services such as psychological screening, counseling, behavior modification, physical therapy, and nutritional education. The coverage is defined for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with an associated comorbidity like hypertension, cardiopulmonary conditions, sleep apnea, or diabetes. Insurers can require patients to complete a pre-operative program of up to three months and have the surgery performed at an accredited medical facility. The bill limits coverage to one bariatric surgery per lifetime and explicitly excludes coverage for weight loss drugs. These requirements will apply to health insurance policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal waivers or amendments to obtain federal funding for Medicaid coverage of these treatments, ensuring that the new provisions can be implemented across different types of health insurance in Nevada.