RD55 - House Bill 615 (2008): Coverage for the Expense of Amino Acid-Based Elemental Formulas and House Bill 669 (2008): Coverage for the Expense of Amino Acid-Based Formulas


Executive Summary:
House Bill 669 prohibits insurers, corporations or HMOs from imposing any co-payment, coinsurance, deductible amounts, policy year, calendar year, lifetime, or durational benefit limitation or maximum for benefits or services that is not equally imposed on all terms and services covered under the policy, contract, or plan. The bills apply to policies, contracts and plans delivered, issued for delivery, reissued, or extended in the Commonwealth on or after January 1, 2009, or any time thereafter when any term of the policy, contract, or plan is changed or premium is adjusted. The bills do not apply to short-term travel, accident only, limited or specified disease policies, or individual conversion policies or contracts, nor to policies designed for issuance to person eligible for Medicare, or similar coverage under state or federal government plans.

The Advisory Commission held a hearing on September 29, 2008 in Richmond to receive public comments on House Bill 615 and House Bill 669. In addition to the patrons, a dietitian and four concerned citizens spoke in favor of House Bill 669. A doctor and a concerned citizen spoke in favor of House Bill 615. A representative of the Virginia Association of Health Plans (VAHP) spoke in opposition to House Bill 615 and House Bill 669. Children’s Milk Allergy and Gastrointestinal Coalition (MAGIC) provided written comments in support of the bills. Written comments in opposition to the bills were provided by VAHP and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. The National Federation of Independent Business also provided written comments on House Bill 615 and House Bill 669.

Delegate Amundson and Delegate Marshall asked that action on House Bill 615 and House Bill 669 be deferred until 2009. The Advisory Commission agreed to defer the bills until 2009. Delegate Amundson indicated her intention to introduce legislation in the 2009 Session to address concerns raised during the review of House Bill 615 and House Bill 669. She indicated that the revised legislation that she will introduce will be similar to the legislation in effect in Maryland that addresses coverage of foods and food products for the treatment of inherited metabolic diseases.