SB344:

Health insurance; coverage for donated human breast milk.

Bill Summary:

Health insurance; coverage for donated human breast milk. Requires health insurers, corporations providing health care coverage subscription contracts, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for expenses incurred in the provision of pasteurized donated human breast milk. The requirement applies if the covered person is an infant under the age of six months, the milk is obtained from a human milk bank that meets quality guidelines established by the Department of Health, and a licensed medical practitioner has issued an order for an infant who satisfies certain criteria. The measure applies to policies, contracts, and plans delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024. The measure also requires the state plan for medical assistance services to include a provision for payment of medical assistance services incurred in the provision of pasteurized donated human breast milk. The bill requires the Department of Health to establish quality guidelines for human milk banks that operate, sell, distribute, or collect milk in Virginia by July 1, 2023. The provisions of the bill other than the requirement for the Department of Health to establish quality guidelines have a delayed enactment of July 1, 2023. This bill is a recommendation of the Health Insurance Reform Commission.

Bill Patron: Barker

Last Action(s):
(House) Tabled in Commerce and Energy (12-Y 10-N) March 3, 2022
(Senate) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N) February 10, 2022

Bill Status:

Passed Senate