(a)A healthcare policy subject to this subchapter executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued, or renewed in this state on or after August 1, 2005, shall include colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests within the healthcare policy's coverage.
(b)The coverage shall include colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests for:
(1)Covered persons who are forty-five (45) years of age or older;
(2)Covered persons who are less than forty-five (45) years of age and at high risk for colorectal cancer according to colorectal cancer screening guidelines as they existed on January 1, 2021; and (3) Covered persons experiencing or meeting the following criteria or symptoms of colorectal cancer as determined by a physician licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 1
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(a) A healthcare policy subject to this subchapter executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued, or renewed in this state on or after August 1, 2005, shall include colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests within the healthcare policy's coverage. (b) The coverage shall include colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests for: (1) Covered persons who are forty-five (45) years of age or older; (2) Covered persons who are less than forty-five (45) years of age and at high risk for colorectal cancer according to colorectal cancer screening guidelines as they existed on January 1, 2021; and (3) Covered persons experiencing or meeting the following criteria or symptoms of colorectal cancer as determined by a physician licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17-95-201 et seq., § 17-95-301 et seq., and § 17-95-401 et seq.: (A) Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool; (B) A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts more than five (5) days; or (C) The need for a follow-up colonoscopy. (c) After August 1, 2005, each employer that offers a healthcare policy to employees shall offer all eligible employees at the time of hiring or healthcare policy renewal a healthcare policy that includes colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests within the coverage of the employee's healthcare policy. (d) (1) The colorectal screening shall involve an examination of the entire colon, including: (A) All examinations, lab tests, or preventive screening tests assigned either a grade of "A" or a grade of "B" by the United States Preventive Services Task Force; and (B) Any additional medically recognized screening tests determined by the United States Preventive Services Task Force for colorectal cancer. (2) The covered person shall determine the choice of screening strategies in consultation with a healthcare provider. (3) Colorectal screening examinations shall be according to the choices and frequency provided by this subsection for all other covered persons. (e) (1) Screenings shall be limited to guidelines for the management or subsequent need for follow-up colonoscopy. (2) The guidelines described in subdivision (e)(1) of this section shall include a guideline stating that if a healthcare policy provides coverage to a resident of this state, then the healthcare policy shall not impose any cost-sharing requirements for: (A) A colonoscopy performed as a result of a positive result on a noncolonoscopy preventive screening test as described in subdivision (d)(1) of this section; or (B) Any additional noncolonoscopy preventive screening tests for colorectal cancer required by the Secretary of the Department of Health in consultation with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and consistent with guidelines issued by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.