SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6129
BYSenators Wojahn, Deccio and Vognild
Requiring health insurance to offer temporomandibular joint disorder and craniomandibular disorder coverage.
Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance
Senate Hearing Date(s):January 21, 1988; February 5, 1988
Majority Report: Without recommendation.
Signed by Senators von Reichbauer, Chairman; West, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Rasmussen, Smitherman.
Senate Staff:Walt Corneille (786-7416)
February 5, 1988
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS & INSURANCE, FEBRUARY 5, 1988
BACKGROUND:
Insurers are not required to offer or provide coverage for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders or craniomandibular (CM) disorders. The TMJ is the hinge joint between the skull and the lower jawbone. CM disorders include TMJ disorders in addition to conditions which manifest as facial pain and include related soft tissue problems.
SUMMARY:
A disability insurance contract, group disability insurance contract, health care service contract or group health maintenance agreement entered into or renewed after July 1, 1988, must offer optional coverage for treatment of TMJ and CM disorders. Surgical, nonsurgical and outpatient treatment must be covered.
Coverage offered must be the same as that for any joint in the body and must apply to treatment administered by a physician or dentist.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Wojahn, sponsor; Luci Phillips, State Health Coordinating Council (against); Joan Gaumer, Blue Cross/Health Plus (against); Nila Gillespie (for); Mel Sorensen, Washington Physicians Service (against); Basil Badley, HIAA (against); Jean Leonard, State Farm (against); Richard Rubin HCPA/Econometrics (against); Mike Ryherd, Washington State Medical Association (against); Jim Howard, private dental practitioner (against); Mitchell Blakney, Washington State Physical Therapy Association (for); Loretta Schossow (for); Arthur Hunt (for)