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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to bariatric surgery coverage for state employees. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1551.227 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1551.227. STUDY OF AND COVERAGE FOR BARIATRIC SURGICAL |
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PROCEDURES. (a) Not later than January 1 of each year, the board of |
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trustees shall annually study the issue of provision of bariatric |
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surgery coverage under a group health benefit plan offered under |
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the group benefits program. The board shall determine the cost that |
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the state can be expected to incur and the benefits the state can be |
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expected to realize by providing coverage for bariatric surgical |
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procedures for state employees that is at least as extensive as the |
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benefit for bariatric surgery provided to Medicare beneficiaries |
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under the National Coverage Determinations Manual published by the |
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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on February 15, 2006. |
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(b) If the board of trustees determines that providing the |
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coverage described by Subsection (a) for the plan year following |
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the plan year in which the study is completed would be cost-neutral |
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or cost-positive to the state, the board shall provide the benefit |
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for the plan year following the plan year in which the study is |
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completed. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2010, the board of |
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trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas shall complete |
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the first study required under Section 1551.227, Insurance Code, as |
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added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |