38.2-3418.7:1 - Coverage for colorectal cancer screening - Virginia Statutes

§ 38.2-3418.7:1. Coverage for colorectal cancer screening.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 38.2-3419, each insurer proposing toissue individual or group accident and sickness insurance policies providinghospital, medical and surgical or major medical coverage on anexpense-incurred basis; each corporation providing individual or groupaccident and sickness subscription contracts; and each health maintenanceorganization providing a health care plan for health care services shallprovide coverage for colorectal cancer screening under any such policy,contract or plan delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in thisCommonwealth, on and after July 1, 2000.

B. Coverage for colorectal cancer screening, specifically screening with anannual fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, or inappropriate circumstances radiologic imaging, shall be provided in accordancewith the most recently published recommendations established by the AmericanCollege of Gastroenterology, in consultation with the American CancerSociety, for the ages, family histories, and frequencies referenced in suchrecommendations.

C. The coverage provided under this section shall not be more restrictivethan or separate from coverage provided for any other illness, condition ordisorder for purposes of determining deductibles, benefit year or lifetimedurational limits, benefit year or lifetime dollar limits, lifetime episodesor treatment limits, copayment and coinsurance factors, and benefit yearmaximum for deductibles and copayments and coinsurance factors.

D. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) short-term travel,accident only, limited or specified disease policies, other than cancerpolicies, (ii) short-term nonrenewable policies of not more than six monthsduration, or (iii) policies or contracts designed for issuance to personseligible for coverage under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, known asMedicare, or any other similar coverage under state or federal governmentalplans.

(2000, c. 888.)