HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 891        FILED ON: 1/17/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1116

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Edward R. Philips

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to the treatment of infantile cataracts.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 891        FILED ON: 1/17/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1116

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1177 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to the treatment of infantile cataracts.

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.   Chapter 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Section  17J.  Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, a health insurance policy that covers infantile cataract surgery must provide coverage for aphakic lenses for treatment and rehabilitation.  The coverage must include benefits for prosthetic contact lenses or glasses, as required as medically necessary by the physician.

SECTION 2.  Chapter 118E, is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Section  61.  Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, a health insurance policy that covers infantile cataract surgery must provide coverage for aphakic lenses for treatment and rehabilitation. The coverage must include benefits for prosthetic contact lenses or glasses, as required as medically necessary by the physician. 

SECTION 3.  Section 108 of Chapter 175 is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Section  K.  Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, a health insurance policy that covers infantile cataract surgery must provide coverage for aphakic lenses for treatment and rehabilitation. The coverage must include benefits for prosthetic contact lenses or glasses, as required as medically necessary by the physician.

SECTION 4.  Section 110 of Chapter 175 is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Section  N.  Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, a health insurance policy that covers infantile cataract surgery must provide coverage for aphakic lenses for treatment and rehabilitation. The coverage must include benefits for prosthetic contact lenses or glasses, as required as medically necessary by the physician.

SECTION 5.  Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Section  8CC.  Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, a health insurance policy that covers infantile cataract surgery must provide coverage for aphakic lenses for treatment and rehabilitation. The coverage must include benefits for prosthetic contact lenses or glasses, as required as medically necessary by the physician.

SECTION 6.  Chapter 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Section  4CC.  Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, a health insurance policy that covers infantile cataract surgery must provide coverage for aphakic lenses for treatment and rehabilitation. The coverage must include benefits for prosthetic contact lenses or glasses, as required as medically necessary by the physician.

SECTION 7.  Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Section  4U.  Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, a health insurance policy that covers infantile cataract surgery must provide coverage for aphakic lenses for treatment and rehabilitation. The coverage must include benefits for prosthetic contact lenses or glasses, as required as medically necessary by the physician.

SECTION 8.  Chapter 176I of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Section  12.  Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, a health insurance policy that covers infantile cataract surgery must provide coverage for aphakic lenses for treatment and rehabilitation. The coverage must include benefits for prosthetic contact lenses or glasses, as required as medically necessary by the physician.