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GA HB646
Bill
Status
Engrossed
2/21/2018
Primary Sponsor
Katie Dempsey
Click for details
AI Summary
- Reinstates and extends the Georgia Department of Community Health's pilot program for bariatric surgery coverage under state health insurance plans (state employees, public school teachers, and public school employees), changing it from a two-year to a three-year program beginning January 1, 2019
- Increases the maximum number of pilot program participants from 75 to 100 individuals per year, selected by the department based on eligibility criteria including BMI greater than 40 (or greater than 35 with comorbidities), non-tobacco use, and at least 12 months of state plan participation
- Covers three bariatric procedures—gastric band, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass—performed only at American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery-designated Centers of Excellence within Georgia
- Authorizes the department to partner with a Georgia postsecondary institution for program management, data collection, and patient engagement, and establishes a Governor-appointed review panel to assess outcomes every six months
- Requires a final report to legislative committees by June 30, 2022, covering BMI reductions, comorbidity outcomes, procedure costs, participant health care cost comparisons, and post-surgery employment retention, with the program automatically repealing on June 30, 2022
Legislative Description
Community Health, Department of; pilot program to provide coverage for bariatric surgical procedures; reinstate
Last Action
Senate Read and Referred
2/22/2018
Committee Referrals
Health and Human Services2/22/2018
Health and Human Services3/30/2017
Full Bill Text
No bill text available