SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1705

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 16, 1996

      The Senate Health Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1705 with committee amendments.

      As amended by committee, this bill requires the State Health Benefits Program to provide coverage for a minimum of 72 hours of inpatient care following a modified radical mastectomy and a minimum of 48 hours inpatient care following a simple mastectomy with a lymph node dissection. The bill also provides that a carrier under the program shall not require a health care provider to obtain authorization from the carrier for prescribing 72 or 48 hours, as appropriate, of inpatient care.

      The committee amended the bill to add minimum coverage requirements for a simple mastectomy with a lymph node dissection; to clarify that a patient may be discharged sooner that the mandated minimum coverage when medically appropriate; and to clarify that the provisions of the bill do not relieve a patient or physician from any insurer notification requirements. Amendments also specify the types of mastectomies covered under the provisions of the bill.