HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5430

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care

Title:  An act relating to coverage for cranial hair prostheses for alopecia areata.

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 History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  4/12/01 [DPA].

Brief Summary of Bill

(As Amended by House Committee)

$The Department of Social and Health Services will provide coverage for cranial hair prostheses for patients under 18 years of age suffering from alopecia areata, totalis or universalis, within funds appropriated by the Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Campbell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cody, Democratic Co‑Chair; Schual‑Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Skinner, Republican Vice Chair; Conway, Edmonds, Marine, McMorris and Pennington.

Minority Report:  Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Darneille.

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786‑7146).

Background:

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

Summary of  Amended Bill:

The Department of Social and Health Services will provide coverage for cranial hair prostheses for patients under 18 years of age suffering from alopecia areata, totalis or universalis, within funds appropriated by the Legislature.  Prostheses are only required to be provided upon the recommendation of a physician, nurse practitioner, or a physician's assistant.

Amended Bill Compared to Bill:

The requirement that public and private insurance programs cover cranial hair prosthesis is deleted and replaced with a program to cover the cost of cranial hair prostheses through a program operated by the Department of Social and Health Services.  A null and void clause is added.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.  However, the bill is null and void if not funded in the budget.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.