25 LC 52 0756S
The House Committee on Insurance offers the following substitute to HB 420:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,1
relating to general provisions regarding insurance, so as to require certain health benefit2
policies to cover genetic testing for an inherited mutation and cancer imaging under certain3
conditions; to provide for definitions; to exclude such coverage from any cost-sharing4
requirements; to protect the eligibility of health savings accounts; to provide for rules and5
regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7
SECTION 1.8
Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to9
general provisions regarding insurance, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as10
follows:11
"33-24-59.34.12
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:13
(1) 'Cancer imaging' means imaging modalities available to healthcare providers who14
diagnose, stage, and treat human cancer in accordance with nationally recognized clinical15
practice guidelines.16
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(2) 'Cost-sharing requirement' means a deductible, coinsurance, or copayment and any17
maximum limitation on the application of such deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or18
similar out-of-pocket expense.19
(3) 'Genetic testing for an inherited mutation' means germline multi-gene testing for an20
inherited mutation or pathogenic variants in an individual's genes that are associated with21
an increased risk of cancer.22
(4) 'Health benefit policy' means any individual or group plan, policy, or contract for23
healthcare services issued, delivered, issued for delivery, executed, or renewed in this24
state which provides major medical benefits, including those contracts executed by this25
state on behalf of indigents and on behalf of state employees under Article 1 of Chapter26
18 of Title 45, public school teachers and employees under Part 6 of Article 17 of27
Chapter 2 of Title 20, and members and employees of the board of regents under Code28
Section 31-2-4, by a healthcare corporation, health maintenance organization, preferred29
provider organization, accident and sickness insurer, fraternal benefit society, hospital30
service corporation, medical service corporation, or any similar entity and any31
self-insured healthcare plan not subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Employee32
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. Section 1001, et seq.33
(5) 'Nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines' means evidence based clinical34
practice guidelines developed by independent organizations or medical professional35
societies utilizing a transparent methodology and reporting structure and with a36
conflict-of-interest policy. Such guidelines establish standards of care informed by a37
systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and risks of any38
alternative care options and include recommendations intended to optimize patient care.39
(b) All health benefit policies renewed or issued on or after July 1, 2025, shall include40
coverage for:41
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(1) Genetic testing for an inherited mutation for a covered person with a personal or42
family history of cancer when such testing is recommended by a healthcare provider and43
is in accordance with nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines; and44
(2) Cancer imaging for a covered person with an increased risk of cancer when such45
imaging is recommended by a healthcare provider and is in accordance with nationally46
recognized clinical practice guidelines.47
(c) The coverage provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section shall not be subject48
to any cost-sharing requirement of a covered person's health benefit policy and shall not49
diminish or limit any other benefits provided under such policy.50
(d) If application of the provisions of this Code section would result in health savings51
account ineligibility under 26 U.S.C. Section 223 as it existed on January 1, 2025, then52
such provisions shall apply only to health savings accounts with qualified high deductible53
health plans with respect to the deductibles of such plans after an individual has satisfied54
the minimum deductibles; provided, however, that the provisions of this Code section shall55
apply to items or services that are preventive care pursuant to Section 223(c)(2)(C) of the56
Internal Revenue Code.57
(e) The Commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the58
provisions of this Code section in accordance with current guidelines established by59
professional medical organizations such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network."60
SECTION 2.61
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.62
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