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SCLD Update |
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| Other Topics in this Issue: Breast Cancer
Detection |
Prostate Cancer Detection Third-Party Reimbursement Maine, Oklahoma, and Virginia passed laws relating to insurance coverage for prostate cancer treatment. Maine's law (L.D. 1060), effective September 1, 1998, requires specified group and individual insurers, including HMOs, to provide, upon the recommendation of a physician, coverage for prostate cancer early detection services at least once a year for men 50 through 72 years of age. Early detection services must include a digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Oklahoma's law (S.B. 873), requires specified public employee health plans to provide coverage for side effects that are commonly associated with radical retropubic prostatectomy surgery, including, but not limited to, impotence and incontinence, and for other prostate-related conditions. Virginia's laws (H.B. 915 and S.B. 705) require specified individual and group insurers, including HMOs; the health care plan for state employees; and the state plan for medical assistance services to provide coverage for one PSA test in a 12-month period and for digital rectal examinations in accordance with American Cancer Society guidelines. This requirement applies to: (1) men age 50 and over, and (2) for men age 40 and over who are at high risk for prostate cancer. South Carolina's Omnibus Health and Education Act of 1998 (H.B. 3985) requires specified individual and group insurers, including HMOs, to provide coverage for prostate cancer examinations, screenings, and laboratory work in accordance with the most recently published guidelines of the American Cancer Society. Prostate examinations may be subject to deductibles and co-insurance if such provisions apply generally to other similar benefits provided and paid for under the health insurance policy. H.B. 3985 takes effect on January 1, 1999. See the additional summaries for this bill in the Breast Cancer Detection/Third-Party Reimbursement, Inpatient Care, and Mammography Quality Assurance; and Cervical Cancer Detection/Third-Party Reimbursement sections. Florida's H.B. 1213 creates a Prostate Cancer Task Force within the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Among the Task Force's functions is to identify areas in which public education about prostate cancer is lacking. See the additional summaries of this bill in the Prostate Cancer Detection/Research and Prevention, Treatment Options, and Awareness sections. Legislation enacted in Florida (H.B. 1213) establishes a Prostate Cancer Task Force within the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. The Task Force's functions include identifying deficiencies in research and coordination about prostate cancer and to prepare recommendations to increase research on prostate cancer. See the additional summaries for this bill in the Prostate Cancer Detection/Public/Professional Education, Treatment Options, and Awareness sections. A resolution adopted in Alaska (H.J.R. 29) supports increased Federal funding for prostate cancer research and requests the President of the United States to support increased funding. Screening Information For a summary of an Illinois bill (S.B. 1383) addressing information about early detection of prostate cancer, see the Prostate Cancer Detection/Awareness section. For a summary of an Illinois bill (S.B. 1383) addressing prostate cancer screening programs, see the Prostate Cancer Detection/Awareness section. Louisiana adopted two resolutions (S.C.R. 62 and S.R. 41) that urge and request the Louisiana State University Medical Center to dedicate all possible resources to the development of programs and strategies to increase prostate cancer screening rates among African Americans, as well as to ensure participation by the African-American community and civic organizations in designing and implementing these programs. See the additional summary for this bill in the Cervical Cancer Detection/Screening Programs section. Florida's H.B. 1213 specifies that if funds are specifically appropriated by the state legislature, then the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council ("Council") must develop or purchase standardized written summaries that describe medically viable treatment alternatives for prostate cancer, in layperson's terms and in language easily understood by the average adult patient. The summaries must include the advantages, disadvantages, and risks associated with the treatment alternatives. They must be made available to physicians, surgeons, and osteopaths, and the Council must periodically update the summaries. See the additional summaries for this bill in the Prostate Cancer Detection/Public/Professional Education, Research and Prevention, and Awareness sections. For a summary of an Illinois bill (S.B. 1383) addressing treatment options for prostate cancer, see the Prostate Cancer Detection/Awareness section. In Florida, H.B. 1213 creates the Prostate Cancer Task Force within the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. Among the Task Force's functions are to improve public awareness about prostate cancer and to prepare recommendations to increase the public's awareness of the importance of early detection and treatment. See the additional summaries for this bill in the Prostate Cancer Detection/ Public/Professional Education, Research and Prevention, and Treatment Options sections. Illinois enacted a law (S.B. 1383) requiring the state Department of Health to conduct a program to promote prostate cancer awareness and early detection, subject to appropriations and funding. The program may include: (1) dissemination of information concerning the incidence of prostate cancer, associated risk factors, and the benefits of early detection and treatment; and (2) the promotion of information and counseling about treatment options and of referral services and screening programs. See the additional summary for this bill in the Testicular Cancer Detection/Awareness section. Rhode Island adopted a resolution (S.B. 3055) to declare April 1998 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month throughout the state. |
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