Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Health Care Committee

SB 5430

Brief Description:  Requiring insurers to provide coverage for cranial hair prostheses.

Sponsors:  By Senators Costa, Spanel, Franklin, Winsley, Thibaudeau, Long, Fairley, Prentice, Eide and Kohl‑Welles.

Brief Summary of Bill

$All health insurance policies that provide coverage for prostheses must provide coverage for cranial hair prostheses for patients under 18 years of age suffering from alopecia areata, totalis or universalis.

Hearing Date:  4/5/01

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786‑7146).

Background: 

There is currently no statutory mandate that health insurance policies cover cranial hair prostheses.

Summary of Bill: 

All health insurance policies that provide coverage for prostheses must provide coverage for cranial hair prostheses for patients under 18 years of age suffering from alopecia areata, totalis or universalis.  Prostheses are only required to be provided upon the recommendation of a physician, nurse practitioner, or a physician's assistant.  The standard policy provisions regarding a patient's financial responsibility may apply to the provision of these benefits.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.