This bill mandates that health insurers in New Jersey provide coverage for colorectal cancer screenings for individuals aged 33 and older, as well as for those under 33 if deemed medically necessary by their physician. It amends existing laws to require that each health insurance contract cover one colorectal cancer screening per year for these individuals, while removing previous language that linked the screening method and frequency to the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force. Additionally, the bill ensures that no deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, or other cost-sharing requirements can be imposed for colonoscopies performed after a positive result from a non-colonoscopy colorectal cancer screening test, thereby eliminating financial barriers to necessary follow-up procedures.

The legislation also expands the medical assistance program to include a range of authorized services, such as comprehensive maternity and pediatric care, community-based palliative care, and treatments for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. It introduces comprehensive tobacco cessation benefits without copayments or prior authorization requirements and mandates that individuals receiving medical assistance be informed about covered treatments related to menopause. The bill aims to enhance access to essential health services for various populations, ensuring that individuals can receive necessary care without financial barriers, and is set to take effect four months after its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 17:48-6, 17:48A-7, 17:48E-35.23, 17B:26-2.1, 17B:27-46.1, 17B:27A-7.7, 17B:27A-19.9, 26:2J-4.24, 52:14-17.29, 52:14-17.46.6, 30:4D-6