§ 47LL — Coverage for tobacco use cessation counseling and tobacco cessation products

[Text of section applicable to policies, contracts and subscription certificates delivered, issued or renewed in the commonwealth on or after January 1, 2020. See 2019, 133, Sec. 26.]

Section 47LL. (a) An individual policy of accident and sickness insurance issued under section 108 that provides benefits for hospital expenses and surgical expenses and any group blanket policy of accident and sickness insurance issued under section 110 that provides benefits for hospital expenses and surgical expenses delivered, issued or renewed by agreement between the insurer and the policyholder, within or outside the commonwealth, shall provide benefits for residents of the commonwealth and all group members having a principal place of employment in the commonwealth for: (i) tobacco use cessation counseling; and (ii) all generic United States Food and Drug Administration-approved tobacco cessation products without cost sharing when prescribed by a health care provider.

(b) Carriers shall be permitted to employ reasonable managed care techniques consistent with state and federal law to determine the frequency, method, treatment or setting for the recommended item or service; provided, however, that covered persons shall have access to at least 1 tobacco cessation product without prior authorization.