093_SB1388

 
                                     LRB093 10831 JLS 11287 b

 1        AN ACT concerning health benefits.

 2        Be  it  enacted  by  the People of the State of Illinois,
 3    represented in the General Assembly:

 4        Section 5.  The Illinois Public Aid Code  is  amended  by
 5    adding Section 5-16.13 as follows:

 6        (305 ILCS 5/16.13 new)
 7        Sec. 5-16.13.  Morbid obesity.
 8        (a)  The medical assistance program must provide benefits
 9    for  the expenses of the surgical treatment of morbid obesity
10    for the following individuals:
11             (1)  individuals with a body-mass index equal to  or
12        greater than 40 kilograms per meter squared;
13             (2)  individuals  with a body-mass index equal to or
14        greater  than  35  kilograms  per  meter  squared,   with
15        comorbidities  or  coexisting medical conditions, such as
16        hypertension, cardiopulmonary conditions, sleep apnea, or
17        diabetes; and
18             (3)  individuals who meet  the  guidelines  for  the
19        surgical  treatment of morbid obesity as set forth by the
20        national institutes of health.
21        (b)  The benefits provided  under  subsection  (a)  shall
22    include   benefits  for  examinations  and  laboratory  tests
23    performed in accordance with the guidelines of  the  national
24    institutes  of  health  for  the surgical treatment of morbid
25    obesity.
26        (c)  The benefits provided under subsection (a) shall  be
27    no less extensive than those provided for any other medically
28    necessary  surgical  procedure under the program and shall be
29    subject to similar terms and conditions.