The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5374 mandates health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems used during chemotherapy treatments, effective January 1, 2027. The bill amends Section 38a-1 of the general statutes by adding definitions relevant to the new provisions and stipulates that both individual and group health insurance policies covering chemotherapy must also include coverage for scalp cooling systems, ensuring that this coverage is at least equivalent to Medicare standards. Furthermore, the bill prohibits insurance policies from imposing more restrictive coinsurance, copayment, deductible, or out-of-pocket expenses for scalp cooling systems compared to other benefits, while allowing for prior authorization requirements that align with those for other covered benefits.

In addition to the scalp cooling provisions, the bill directs the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a comprehensive study on mandated health insurance coverage for various medical treatments and services, including infertility treatments and prosthetic devices for athletic purposes. The findings from this study must be reported to the relevant joint standing committee of the General Assembly by January 1, 2027. The new legal provisions introduced by this bill will take effect upon passage, with specific sections becoming effective on January 1, 2027, reflecting a commitment to expanding health insurance coverage and addressing the needs of patients requiring specialized medical treatments.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: