SB2746 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB093 20227 DRJ 45985 b

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
SB2746

Introduced 2/5/2004, by Mattie Hunter

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

305 ILCS 5/5-25 new

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide that the medical assistance program must include coverage for surgical treatment for morbid obesity.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning health benefits.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by adding Section 5-25 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/5-25 new)

Sec. 5-25. Morbid obesity.

(a) The medical assistance program must provide benefits for the expenses of the surgical treatment of morbid obesity for the following individuals:

(1) individuals with a body-mass index equal to or greater than 40 kilograms per meter squared;

(2) individuals with a body-mass index equal to or greater than 35 kilograms per meter squared, with comorbidities or coexisting medical conditions, such as hypertension, cardiopulmonary conditions, sleep apnea, or diabetes; and

(3) individuals who meet the guidelines for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity as set forth by the national institutes of health.

(b) The benefits provided under subsection (a) shall include benefits for examinations and laboratory tests performed in accordance with the guidelines of the national institutes of health for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity.

(c) The benefits provided under subsection (a) shall be no less extensive than those provided for any other medically necessary surgical procedure under the program and shall be subject to similar terms and conditions.