This bill amends existing New Jersey law to expand the requirements for health insurance carriers regarding prostate cancer screening. It mandates that health service corporations, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and commercial group health insurers provide coverage for annual prostate cancer screenings without any cost-sharing for men aged 40 to 75. Previously, coverage was limited to men aged 50 and over who were asymptomatic or men aged 40 and over with a family history of prostate cancer. The bill broadens the definition of prostate cancer screening to include various medically viable methods for detection and diagnosis, such as digital rectal exams, prostate-specific antigen tests, and associated laboratory work, as well as follow-up testing directed by healthcare providers.

Additionally, the bill ensures that this coverage requirement extends to individual health insurance policies, health benefits plans under the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs, and contracts purchased by the State Health Benefits Commission and the School Employees Health Benefits Commission. The new provisions will take effect 90 days after enactment and will apply to all relevant contracts and policies issued or renewed thereafter.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 17:48E-35.13, 17:48-6, 17:48A-7, 17B:27-46.1, 26:2J-4.13