North Carolina

North Carolina State Budget Plan Brings Change to Immunization Program

After weeks of deliberation that concluded on June 30, just hours before the start of the 2010-2011 fiscal year, legislators gave their final approval to a $19 billion state budget plan.

Section 10.13 of the budget addresses immunization reimbursement changes and amends Section 10.29A of SL 2009-451 to eliminate the state appropriation for the purchase of childhood vaccines required by the North Carolina Immunization Program and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This provision was based on the General Assembly’s findings that the costs for these vaccines are reimbursable by health insurers and supplied for uninsured and underinsured children through the federal Vaccine for Children program.

The entire state budget can be viewed by clicking here.

(Added 07/07/2010)

 

House Bill 589 - Payment for Hearing Aids

House Bill 589, regarding payment for hearing aids, was signed into law by North Carolina’s Governor. This bill requires every health benefit plan, including the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees, to provide coverage for one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear (up to $2,500 per hearing aid) every 36 months for covered individuals under age 22. Nothing prevents an insurer from applying utilization review criteria to determine medical necessity as defined by G.S. 58-50-61, as long as it does so in accordance with all requirements for utilization review programs and medical necessity determinations specified in that section, including the offering of an insurer appeal process and, if applicable, a health benefit plans external review.

House Bill 589 is located by clicking here.

(Added 06/08/10)

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South Carolina

House Bill 3371 – Health Care Insurance Continuation of Care Provisions

The Governor of South Carolina signed House Bill 3371 into law on March 31, 2010, addressing insurer liability for continuity of care for members, following the network termination or nonrenewal of a healthcare provider. Although effective at signature date, the law applies to individual health plans, group health plans, or health benefit plans (including the state health plan) that are issued, renewed, delivered, or entered into after December 31, 2010.

House Bill 3371 is located by clicking here.

(Added 04/15/10)

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