§ 17:48-6k — Benefits for certain cancer treatments

1. In addition to benefits provided under regulations adopted pursuant to P.L.1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-2 et seq.) and P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-17 et seq.), a hospital service corporation shall offer under every group or individual hospital service corporation contract providing hospital or medical expense benefits delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State, or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Insurance, on or after the effective date of this act to provide benefits for the treatment of cancer by dose-intensive chemotherapy/autologous bone marrow transplants and peripheral blood stem cell transplants when performed by institutions approved by the National Cancer Institute or pursuant to protocols consistent with the guidelines of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists. Benefits for such treatment shall be provided to the same extent as for any other illness under the contract. The offer required pursuant to this section shall apply to all hospital service corporation contracts in which the hospital service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a hospital service corporation in adjusting premium amounts, or providing for reasonable deductibles or copayments, with respect to benefits provided pursuant to this section. L.1995,c.100,s.1.