OF INTEREST TO TEXAS WOMEN:

Texas women’s mortality rate due to cervical cancer is 30% higher than the national average.    Human papillomavirus (“HPV”) is one of the world’s leading sexually transmitted diseases.  HPV consists of as many as 13 different strains that are considered to be high risk and are associated with the development of precancerous abnormal cells.  These precancerous cells may progress in women to become cervical cancer, if they are left undetected.  The presence of precancerous abnormal cells may be detected by a Pap smear test and/or by a pelvic exam.

H.B. 1485 requires a health benefit plan that provides coverage for diagnostic medical procedures to provide coverage for expenses for an annual medically recognized diagnostic exam for the early detection of cervical cancer in each woman 18 years of age or older enrolled in the plan.  The coverage must, at a minimum, cover a conventional Pap smear screening or a screening another FDA-approved test for the detection of HPV.  The health plan issuer must provide in the plan a written notice of the coverage.

            The statute applies to health benefit plans for medical or surgical expenses incurred  as a result of health conditions, accident, or sickness, including an individual, group, blanket, or franchise insurance policy or insurance agreement, a group hospital service contract, an individual or group evidence of coverage, or a similar coverage document that is offered by certain entities.

            You can read more about this legislation at the Texas Legislature’s website.  Follow this link:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/