SECTION  .  Chapter 175 of the general laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 47BB.  No individual policy of accident and sickness insurance issued pursuant to section 108, and no group blanket policy of accident and sickness insurance issued pursuant to section 110, shall restrict or discontinue coverage for medically necessary treatments for persons who have been diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica, also known as Devic’s disease.  The term “medical necessity” shall be construed in accordance with the guidelines set forth in subsection (b) of section 16 of chapter 176O.

SECTION  .  Chapter 176A of the general laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 8EE.  No contract between a subscriber and the corporation under an individual or group hospital service plan which is delivered, issued or renewed in the commonwealth shall restrict or discontinue coverage for medically necessary treatments for persons who have been diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica, also known as Devic’s disease, to an individual or group subscribers within the commonwealth and to a group subscriber having a principal place of employment within the commonwealth, notwithstanding section 27 of chapter 94C. The term “medical necessity” shall be construed in accordance with the guidelines set forth in subsection (b) of section 16 of chapter 176O.

SECTION  .  Chapter 176G of the general laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 4W.  No health maintenance organization shall restrict or discontinue coverage for medically necessary treatments for persons who have been diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica, also known as Devic’s disease.  The term “medical necessity” shall be construed in accordance with the guidelines set forth in subsection (b) of section 16 of chapter 176O.