1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to insurance; health; requiring coverage for 
  1.3             diabetes outpatient self-management training and 
  1.4             education; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 
  1.5             62A.45. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 62A.45, is 
  1.8   amended to read: 
  1.9      62A.45 [COVERAGE FOR EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES FOR DIABETES.] 
  1.10     A health plan, including a plan providing the coverage 
  1.11  specified in section 62A.011, subdivision 3, clause (10), must 
  1.12  provide coverage for:  (1) all physician prescribed medically 
  1.13  appropriate and necessary equipment and supplies used in the 
  1.14  management and treatment of diabetes; and (2) diabetes 
  1.15  outpatient self-management training and education, including 
  1.16  medical nutrition therapy, that is provided by a certified, 
  1.17  registered, or licensed health care professional working in a 
  1.18  program consistent with the national standards of diabetes 
  1.19  self-management education as established by the American 
  1.20  Diabetes Association.  Coverage must include persons with 
  1.21  gestational, type I or type II diabetes.  Coverage required 
  1.22  under this section is subject to the same deductible or 
  1.23  coinsurance provisions applicable to the plan's hospital, 
  1.24  medical expense, medical equipment, or prescription drug 
  1.25  benefits.  A health carrier may not reduce or eliminate coverage 
  2.1   due to this requirement. 
  2.2      Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION.] 
  2.3      Section 1 is effective August 1, 1997, and applies to all 
  2.4   health plans issued or renewed to provide coverage for Minnesota 
  2.5   residents on or after that date.