SB528: SB528 Insurance; health benefit plans, policies, or contracts executed by the state to cover medically necessary orthotic devices and prosthetic devices and their materials and components; require

26 LC 52 1037 Senate Bill 528 By: Senators Robertson of the 29th, Dixon of the 45th, Brass of the 6th, Strickland of the 42nd, Hickman of the 4th and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 insurance generally, so as to require health benefit plans, policies, or contracts executed by2 the state to cover medically necessary orthotic devices and pro sthetic devices and their3 materials and components; to revise a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide4 for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotate d, relating to insurance8 generally, is amended in Code Section 33-24-59.35, relating to required coverage orthotic9 devices and prosthetic devices, reporting, and regulation, by r evising paragraph (3) of10 subsection (a) as follows:11 "(3) 'Health benefit policy' means any individual or group plan , policy, or contract for12 healthcare services issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state by an13 insurer that provides major medical benefits. Such On or after January 1, 2027, such term14 shall not include any plans, policies, or contracts executed by the stat e to provide15 healthcare coverage on behalf of state employees, public school teachers and employees,16 and members and employees of the Board of Regents of the Univer sity System of17 S. B. 528 - 1 - 26 LC 52 1037 Georgia and their retirees and dependents under Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45, and18 shall not apply to the provision of healthcare services pursuant to a contract entered into19 by an insurer and the Department of Community Health for recipients of Medicaid. Such20 term shall not include self-funded, employer sponsored health insurance plans subject to21 the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal Employee Retirement I ncome Security Act of22 1974, as codified and amended at 29 U.S.C. Section 1001, et seq."23 SECTION 2.24 This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law25 without such approval.26 SECTION 3.27 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.28 S. B. 528 - 2 -