Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 1290	House Author:  Oliveira et al.
Effective:  9-1-09	Senate Sponsor:  Lucio

            House Bill 1290 amends the Insurance Code to require certain health benefit plans that provide coverage for medical screening procedures to cover tests for the early detection of cardiovascular disease for men older than 45 and younger than 76 and women older than 55 and younger than 76 who are diabetic or are at intermediate or higher risk of a heart attack.  The minimum coverage required is up to $200 per test for specified types of noninvasive screening tests once every five years.  The bill also requires the Employees Retirement System of Texas board of trustees, not later than September 1, 2010, to develop a cost-neutral or cost-positive plan for providing bariatric surgery coverage for eligible state officers and employees under the group benefits program.  These changes apply only to a health benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2010.