Blood-Glucose Monitoring Strips: Amendment of Statute

PRISCILLA H. DOUGLAS SECRETARY, CONSUMER AFFAIRS THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION OF INSURANCE 470 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02210-2223 (617) 521-7794 FAX (617) 521-7770 TTY (617) 521-7490 LINDA RUTHARDT COMMISSIONER, INSURANCE # Bulletin No. 95-13 To: Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) From: Commissioner Linda Ruthardt RE: Blood-Glucose Monitoring Strips: Amendment of Statute Date: December 12, 1995 The purpose of this bulletin is to remind HMOs that M.G.L. c. 176G § 4H (added by St. 1994, c. 60, § 150) has been amended. As you are aware, M.G.L. c. 176G § 4H, as originally passed with an effective date of July 1, 1994, requires that: Any group health maintenance contract shall provide, as set forth in section forty-seven N of chapter one hundred and seventy-five, coverage for blood-glucose monitoring strips for home use for which a physician has issued a written order and which are medically necessary for the treatment of insulin dependent diabetes. St. 1995, c. 38, § 157, effective July 1, 1995, amends the law by inserting the words "individual or" after the word "Any" in the statute. Therefore, HMOs are reminded that coverage for blood-glucose monitoring strips is to be provided in both individual and group contracts. Questions regarding this Bulletin should be directed to Caroline E. DeStefano, Assistant General Counsel at (617) 521-7364.