Section 764i - Coverage for colorectal cancer screening(a) Except to the extent already covered under another policy, all health insurance policies as defined in this section shall also provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening for covered individuals in accordance with American Cancer Society guidelines for colorectal cancer screening published as of January 1, 2008, and consistent with approved medical standards and practices. (1) Coverage for nonsymptomatic covered individuals who are fifty (50) years of age or older shall include, but not be limited to:(i) An annual fecal occult blood test.(ii) A sigmoidoscopy, a screening barium enema or a test consistent with approved medical standards and practices to detect colon cancer, at least once every five (5) years.(iii) A colonoscopy at least once every ten (10) years.(2) Coverage for symptomatic covered individuals shall include a colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy or any combination of colorectal cancer screening tests at a frequency determined by a treating physician.(3) Coverage for nonsymptomatic covered individuals who are at high or increased risk for colorectal cancer who are under fifty (50) years of age shall include a colonoscopy or any combination of colorectal cancer screening tests in accordance with the American Cancer Society guidelines on screening for colorectal cancer published as of January 1, 2008.(b) The coverage required under this section shall be subject to annual deductibles, coinsurance and copayment requirements imposed by an entity subject to this section for similar coverages under the same health insurance policy or contract.(c) For the purpose of this section:(1) "Health insurance policy" means any group health, sickness or accident policy or subscriber contract or certificate offered to groups of fifty-one (51) or more employes issued by an entity subject to any one of the following: (ii) The act of December 29, 1972 (P.L. 1701, No. 364), known as the "Health Maintenance Organization Act."(iii) 40 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 (relating to hospital plan corporations) or 63 (relating to professional health services plan corporations). The term does not include accident only, fixed indemnity, limited benefit, credit, dental, vision, specified disease, Medicare supplement, Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) supplement, long-term care or disability income, workers' compensation or automobile medical payment insurance.
(2) "Colonoscopy" means an examination of the rectum and the entire colon using a lighted instrument called a colonoscope.(3) "Colorectal cancer screening" means any of the following procedures that are furnished to an individual for the purpose of early detection of colorectal cancer:(i) Screening fecal-occult blood or fecal immunochemical test.(ii) Screening flexible sigmoidoscopy.(iii) Screening colonoscopy.(iv) Screening barium enema.(v) Screening test consistent with approved medical standards and practices to detect colon cancer.(4) "Nonsymptomatic person at high or increased risk" means an individual who poses a higher than average risk for colorectal cancer according to the American Cancer Society guidelines on screening for colorectal cancer as of January 1, 2008.(5) "Symptomatic person" means an individual who experiences a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding or persistent stomach cramps, weight loss or abdominal pain.1921, May 17, P.L. 682, No. 284, § 635.3, added 2008, July 9, P.L. 885, No. 62, §3, effective in 60 days [ 9/8/2008].