HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 260        FILED ON: 1/8/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 921

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to providing certain benefits for cancer patients..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Section 10D of chapter 118E of the 2006 Official Edition of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the new subsection:—SECTION 10E. The division shall provide coverage for scalp hair prosthesis, as defined by section 47T of chapter 175, for expenses for scalp hair prostheses worn for hair loss suffered as a result of the treatment of any form of cancer or leukemia; provided, however, that such coverage shall be subject to a written statement by the treating physician that the scalp hair prosthesis is medically necessary; and provided, further, that such coverage shall be subject to the same limitations and guidelines as other prostheses. Any such decision shall be made in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the department of public health.

SECTION 2. Chapter 176M, of the 2006 Official Edition of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the new subsection:—Section 6B. The Nongroup Advisory Board is hereby directed to add as a benefit, under an individual nongroup health insurance policy, coverage for scalp hair prosthesis, as defined by section 47T of chapter 175, for expenses for scalp hair prostheses worn for hair loss suffered as a result of treatment of any form of cancer or leukemia; provided, however, that such coverage shall be subject to a written statement by the treating physician that the scalp hair prosthesis is medically necessary; and provided, further, that such coverage shall be subject to the same limitations and guidelines as other prostheses.