For more information about insurance coverage of clinical trial costs, see this feature's main page: States That Require Health Plans to Pay for Clinical Trial Costs.

Legislation: Senate Bill 199

Effective: January 2002

What clinical trials are covered?

The law extends coverage to all people diagnosed with a life-threatening condition who choose to enroll in a Phase II, III, or IV clinical trial. Includes clinical trials approved and funded by any one of the following:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• NIH cooperative group or center
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• U.S. Department of Defense
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Who is required to pay?

All health insurance plans and the teachers' and state employees' comprehensive major medical plan.

Other key provisions:

• Mandated coverage is effective for health plans that are in effect or renewed on or after March 1, 2002.
• Patients suffering from a life-threatening disease or chronic condition may designate a specialist who is capable of coordinating their health care needs as their primary care physician. The law also established an Office of Managed Care Patient Assistance.