HB 16-1387 Summary

• Expands mandatory health insurance coverage to include severe protein allergic conditions alongside existing coverage for inherited enzymatic disorders caused by single gene defects in amino, organic, and fatty acid metabolism.

• Adds coverage for immunoglobulin E and nonimmunoglobulin E-mediated allergies to multiple food proteins, severe food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome, eosinophilic disorders evidenced by biopsy, and impaired nutrient absorption from gastrointestinal tract disorders.

• Requires coverage of medical foods for home use, including amino acid-based elemental formulas prescribed by physicians, when diagnosed by a board-certified allergist or gastroenterologist and for which medically standard diagnostic and treatment methods exist.

• Specifies that medical foods for severe food allergies must contain only singular form elemental amino acids and be administered enterally via tube or oral route under physician direction.

• Takes effect January 1, 2018, unless subject to a referendum petition filed within 90 days after final adjournment, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2016 general election.