NOTICES
Mandated Benefits
[28 Pa.B. 2740] Section 9 of Act 34 of 1993 requires that the Health Care Cost Containment Council (Council) review existing or proposed mandated health benefits on request of the executive and legislative branches of government. The Council has been requested by Senator F. Joseph Loeper, Chairperson of the Senate Rules Committee, to review House Bill 656, which would mandate insurance benefits for certain diabetic supplies and services, and require any insurer underwriting Medicare or Medicaid insurance for Pennsylvania residents to provide coverage for hearing aids in accordance with the ''Hearing Aid Sales Registration Law,'' as well as a proposed amendment which would define the term ''orthotics'' in the bill to include ''orthotics related to the treatment of diabetes illness'' and require that services must be provided ''by an individual with expertise in diabetes self-management, training and education.''
Initial notification of request for information and documentation was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on March 14, 1998, with documentation due to the Council by May 29, 1998.
Following is a list of the documentation received. This information is available for public review and comment at the Council offices during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) until July 7, 1998. Any additional comments on this information must be received by this time. Council offices are located at: 225 Market Street, Suite 400, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Send comments to Flossie Wolf at this address.
House Bill 656 Submissions 1. American Diabetes Association
* Letter of support from Jennifer K. Ross, Regional Advocacy Director, addressing Section 9 requirements and recommending implementation of HB 656
* Research articles supporting implementation of HB 656
* Copies of House Insurance Committee testimony on HB 656
* Diabetes fact/incidence information
* Information from other states addressing diabetes care
2. Pennsylvania Dietetic Association
* Letter of support from M. Colleen McCann, MPH, RD addressing Section 9 requirements, recommending inclusion of medical nutrition therapy
* Research articles supporting implementation of HB 656
* Copies of House Insurance Committee testimony on HB 656
* Diabetes fact/incidence information
3. American Association of Diabetes Educators
* Letter of support from David Holtzman, Director of Government Affairs, recommending inclusion of diabetes education
* Research articles supporting implementation of HB 656
4. Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association
* Letter of support from Carmen A. DiCello, R.Ph, Executive Director, recommending implementation of HB 656
* Summary of House Insurance Committee testimony on HB 656
5. The Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, Inc.
* Letter from John R. Doubman, Secretary & Counsel, addressing Section 9 requirements and supporting implementation of HB 656 and supporting proposed amendments A0388 and A0470
6. Capital Blue Cross
* Letter from Vincent P. Carocci, Manager of Government Relations for Capital Blue Cross, and Mary Ellen McMillen, Vice-President for Legislative Policy for Independence Blue Cross, supporting proposed amendment A0470 to HB 656
7. Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania
* Letter from Gerald M. Guarilia, Senior Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, and Gloria Blandina, Government Affairs Representative, supporting proposed amendment A0470 to HB 656, and opposing mandates in general
8. Highmark
* Letter from Bruce R. Hironimus, Vice President of Government Affairs, addressing Section 9 requirements
* Relevant research articles
* Diabetes fact/incidence information
* Information about Highmark's HealthPLACE Diabetes Management Program
9. Managed Care Association of Pennsylvania
* Letter of opposition from Kimberly J. Kockler, Executive Director, addressing Section 9 requirements
* Penn State Geisinger Newsletter from April/May 1998
* Research article
10. HealthAmerica
* Letter of opposition from Alanna M. Clark, Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, addressing Section 9 requirements and recommending against implementation of HB 656
11. AFLAC (American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus)
* Letter from Richard J. Gmerek and Elvira O. Guida of the Law Offices of Maley, Williamson, Hayden & Gmerek, supporting the exemption of supplemental policies from HB 656
12. Holy Spirit Hospital, Diabetes Services
* Letter of support from Denise Bordlemay, RN, BSN, CDE, Manager of Diabetes Services HSH, recommending implementation of HB 656
13. Robert W. Piavis, Jr., R.Ph
* Letter of support for House Bill 656, discussing his personal costs for managing his diabetes
14. William Greene, R.Ph
* Fax documenting costs for diabetic supplies
15. Gary Hoffman
* Letter of support for House Bill 656
* News article from the Internet
83 Constituent Letters in support of House Bill 656
1 Constituent Letter in opposition to House Bill 656
MARC P. VOLAVKA,
Executive Director
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-936. Filed for public inspection June 12, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]
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