AR SB66

Health benefit plans offered, issued, or renewed in Arkansas on or after January 1, 2012, must provide coverage for diagnosis and treatment of morbid obesity.

Coverage must include bariatric surgery, gastric bypass surgery, and lap-band surgery with the same benefits as other medically necessary surgical procedures.

Morbid obesity is defined as weight at least two times ideal body weight, or body mass index of 35 kg/m² with comorbid conditions (hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes) or greater than 40 kg/m².

Applies to individual, group, and blanket health benefit plans from insurers, HMOs, hospital medical service corporations, and self-insured governmental or church plans; excludes dental, vision, accident, and workers' compensation coverage.

State Insurance Department shall adopt rules to implement the coverage requirements.