TN Insurance Bulletin (1996-09-23): Dose Intensive Chemotherapy/Autologous Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplants for the Treatment of Breast Cancer

DON SUNDQUIST GOVERNOR TO: FROM: RE: DATE: STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE 500 JAMES ROBERTSON PARKWAY NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37243 BULLETIN All Insurance Companies Doing Business in Tennessee Douglas M. Sizemore, Commissioner~ DOUGLAS M. SIZEMORE COMMISSIONER Dose Intensive Chemotherapy/Autologous Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplants for the Treatment of Breast Cancer September 23, 1996 The Bureau ofTennCare recently promulgated an emergency rule outlining the circumstances under which dose intensive chemotherapy/autologous bone marrow transplants or stem cell transplants for (\ the treatment ofbreast cancer are covered by the program. Tennessee Code Annotated§ 56-7-2504 provides that, in the event such coverage is provided for patients or enrollees included in the TennCare program, then each insurer proposing to issue individual or group accident and sickness insurance policies providing hospital medical and surgical, or major medical coverage on an expenseincurred basis, each corporation providing individual or group accident and sickness subscription contracts, and each health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services is required to offer the coverage. The coverage may be offered at an additional cost but with . no greater deductible or copayment than otherwise applicable. For all plans subject to this statute, each policy, contract or plan delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in Tennessee after January 1, 1997 must include this mandated offer of coverage. Please provide all filings for approval prior to December 1, 1996. DMS:JL:pc