ASSEMBLY INSURANCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2905

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: NOVEMBER 6, 1997

      The Assembly Insurance Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 2905.

      This bill requires that whenever the contract includes coverage for routine foot care, health maintenance organizations and small employer health benefits plans must permit the foot care to be provided by a podiatric physician.

      However, this bill does not require health maintenance organizations and small employer health benefits plans to provide coverage for routine foot care or that such plans include the services of podiatric physicians.

      The bill defines "routine foot care" as the treatment or removal of asymptomatic corns, asymptomatic calluses or toenails. Services performed shall be deemed medically necessary for asymptomatic corns, asymptomatic calluses and toenails in the presence of metabolic or peripheral vascular diseases, and symptomatic conditions of the foot due to a painful, non-cosmetic condition. Routine foot care does not include orthopedic shoes, foot orthotics or supportive devices for the foot or any other durable medical equipment.