{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/38.2-3418.13.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/38.2-3418.13.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/38.2-3418.13.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/38.2-3418.13.html"}],"law_id":82972,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82972,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.13","catch_line":"Coverage for the treatment of morbid obesity","history":"2000, c. 465; 2003, c. 462; 2014, c. 814.","full_text":"A\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; 38.2-3419, in the large group market, each insurer proposing to issue accident and sickness insurance policies providing hospital, medical and surgical, or major medical coverage on an expense-incurred basis; each corporation providing accident and sickness subscription contracts; and each health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services shall offer and make available coverage under any such policy, contract or plan for the treatment of morbid obesity through gastric bypass surgery or such other methods as may be recognized by the National Institutes of Health as effective for the long-term reversal of morbid obesity.B\n\nThe reimbursement for the treatment of morbid obesity shall be determined according to the same formula by which charges are developed for other medical and surgical procedures. Such coverage shall have durational limits, dollar limits, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance factors that are no less favorable than for physical illness generally. Standards and criteria, including those related to diet, used by insurers to approve or restrict access to surgery for morbid obesity shall be based upon current clinical guidelines recognized by the National Institutes of Health.C\n\nFor purposes of this section, &#8220;morbid obesity&#8221; means (i) a weight that is at least 100 pounds over or twice the ideal weight for frame, age, height, and gender as specified in the 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance tables, (ii) a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 35 kilograms per meter squared with comorbidity or coexisting medical conditions such as hypertension, cardiopulmonary conditions, sleep apnea, or diabetes, or (iii) a BMI of 40 kilograms per meter squared without such comorbidity. As used herein, BMI equals weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.D\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident-only, limited or specified disease policies or contracts designed for issuance to persons eligible for coverage under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, known as Medicare, or any other similar coverage under state or governmental plans or to short-term nonrenewable policies of not more than six months&#8217; duration; health care plans, contracts, or policies issued in the individual or small group market; or a qualified health plan when the plan is offered in the Commonwealth by a health carrier through a health benefit exchange established under &#xA7; 1311 of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148).","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":297366,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; 38.2-3419, in the large group market, each insurer proposing to issue accident and sickness insurance policies providing hospital, medical and surgical, or major medical coverage on an expense-incurred basis; each corporation providing accident and sickness subscription contracts; and each health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services shall offer and make available coverage under any such policy, contract or plan for the treatment of morbid obesity through gastric bypass surgery or such other methods as may be recognized by the National Institutes of Health as effective for the long-term reversal of morbid obesity.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":297367,"text":"The reimbursement for the treatment of morbid obesity shall be determined according to the same formula by which charges are developed for other medical and surgical procedures. Such coverage shall have durational limits, dollar limits, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance factors that are no less favorable than for physical illness generally. Standards and criteria, including those related to diet, used by insurers to approve or restrict access to surgery for morbid obesity shall be based upon current clinical guidelines recognized by the National Institutes of Health.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":297368,"text":"For purposes of this section, &#8220;morbid obesity&#8221; means (i) a weight that is at least 100 pounds over or twice the ideal weight for frame, age, height, and gender as specified in the 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance tables, (ii) a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 35 kilograms per meter squared with comorbidity or coexisting medical conditions such as hypertension, cardiopulmonary conditions, sleep apnea, or diabetes, or (iii) a BMI of 40 kilograms per meter squared without such comorbidity. As used herein, BMI equals weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":297369,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident-only, limited or specified disease policies or contracts designed for issuance to persons eligible for coverage under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, known as Medicare, or any other similar coverage under state or governmental plans or to short-term nonrenewable policies of not more than six months&#8217; duration; health care plans, contracts, or policies issued in the individual or small group market; or a qualified health plan when the plan is offered in the Commonwealth by a health carrier through a health benefit exchange established under &#xA7; 1311 of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148).","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14324,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mandated Benefits","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12993,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:45","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:45","permalink":{"id":215143,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14324,"identifier":"2","token":"38.2\/34\/2","url":"\/38.2\/34\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12993,"edition_id":1,"name":"Provisions Relating to Accident and Sickness Insurance","identifier":"34","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12698,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:07","permalink":{"id":214887,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12993,"identifier":"34","token":"38.2\/34","url":"\/38.2\/34\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12698,"edition_id":1,"name":"Insurance","identifier":"38.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":210661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12698,"identifier":"38.2","token":"38.2","url":"\/38.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":87046,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3408","catch_line":"Policy providing for reimbursement for services that may be performed by certain practitioners other than physicians","url":"\/38.2-3408\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3408","metadata":false},{"id":55621,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3409","catch_line":"Coverage of dependent children","url":"\/38.2-3409\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3409","metadata":false},{"id":68501,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3410","catch_line":"Construction of policy generally; words \"physician\" and \"doctor\" to include dentist","url":"\/38.2-3410\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3410","metadata":false},{"id":76551,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3411","catch_line":"Coverage of newborn children required","url":"\/38.2-3411\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3411","metadata":false},{"id":71629,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3411.1","catch_line":"Coverage for child health supervision services","url":"\/38.2-3411.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3411.1","metadata":false},{"id":70694,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3411.2","catch_line":"Coverage of adopted children required","url":"\/38.2-3411.2\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3411.2","metadata":false},{"id":77817,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3411.3","catch_line":"Coverage for childhood immunizations","url":"\/38.2-3411.3\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3411.3","metadata":false},{"id":86598,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3411.4","catch_line":"Coverage for infant hearing screening and related diagnostics","url":"\/38.2-3411.4\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3411.4","metadata":false},{"id":63024,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3412","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3412\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3412","metadata":false},{"id":84153,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3412.1","catch_line":"Coverage for mental health and substance use disorders","url":"\/38.2-3412.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3412.1","metadata":false},{"id":75255,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3412.1:01","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3412.1_01\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3412.1_01","metadata":false},{"id":67892,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3413","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3413\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3413","metadata":false},{"id":81885,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3414","catch_line":"Optional coverage for obstetrical services","url":"\/38.2-3414\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3414","metadata":false},{"id":74497,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3414.1","catch_line":"Obstetrical benefits; coverage for postpartum services","url":"\/38.2-3414.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3414.1","metadata":false},{"id":58957,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3415","catch_line":"Exclusion or reduction of benefits for certain causes prohibited","url":"\/38.2-3415\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3415","metadata":false},{"id":69898,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3416","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3416\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3416","metadata":false},{"id":59007,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3417","catch_line":"Deductibles and coinsurance options required","url":"\/38.2-3417\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3417","metadata":false},{"id":81514,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418","catch_line":"Coverage for victims of rape or incest","url":"\/38.2-3418\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418","metadata":false},{"id":85746,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.1","catch_line":"Coverage for mammograms","url":"\/38.2-3418.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.1","metadata":false},{"id":86304,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.10","catch_line":"Coverage for diabetes","url":"\/38.2-3418.10\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.10","metadata":false},{"id":87414,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.11","catch_line":"Coverage for hospice care","url":"\/38.2-3418.11\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.11","metadata":false},{"id":81464,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.12","catch_line":"Coverage for hospitalization and anesthesia for dental procedures","url":"\/38.2-3418.12\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.12","metadata":false},{"id":82972,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.13","catch_line":"Coverage for the treatment of morbid obesity","url":"\/38.2-3418.13\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.13","metadata":false},{"id":85731,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.14","catch_line":"Coverage for lymphedema","url":"\/38.2-3418.14\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.14","metadata":false},{"id":71964,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.15","catch_line":"Coverage for prosthetic devices and components","url":"\/38.2-3418.15\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.15","metadata":false},{"id":57543,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.15:1","catch_line":"Coverage for prosthetic devices and components","url":"\/38.2-3418.15_1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.15_1","metadata":false},{"id":61286,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.16","catch_line":"Coverage for telemedicine services","url":"\/38.2-3418.16\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.16","metadata":false},{"id":81144,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.17","catch_line":"Coverage for autism spectrum disorder","url":"\/38.2-3418.17\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.17","metadata":false},{"id":60567,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.18","catch_line":"Coverage for formula and enteral nutrition products as medicine","url":"\/38.2-3418.18\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.18","metadata":false},{"id":79176,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.19","catch_line":"Coverage for organ, eye or tissue transplant","url":"\/38.2-3418.19\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.19","metadata":false},{"id":69963,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.1:1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3418.1_1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":72277,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.1:2","catch_line":"Coverage for pap smears","url":"\/38.2-3418.1_2\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.1_2","metadata":false},{"id":64216,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.1:3","catch_line":"Cost sharing for breast examinations","url":"\/38.2-3418.1_3\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.1_3","metadata":false},{"id":80233,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.2","catch_line":"Coverage of procedures involving bones and joints","url":"\/38.2-3418.2\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.2","metadata":false},{"id":73658,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.20","catch_line":"Coverage for hearing aids and related services [Not in effect]","url":"\/38.2-3418.20\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.20","metadata":false},{"id":76455,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.21","catch_line":"Coverage for hearing aids and related services","url":"\/38.2-3418.21\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.21","metadata":false},{"id":67690,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.22","catch_line":"Coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome","url":"\/38.2-3418.22\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.22","metadata":false},{"id":79724,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.3","catch_line":"Coverage for hemophilia and congenital bleeding disorders","url":"\/38.2-3418.3\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.3","metadata":false},{"id":86337,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.4","catch_line":"Coverage for reconstructive breast surgery; notice; eligibility","url":"\/38.2-3418.4\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.4","metadata":false},{"id":87401,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.5","catch_line":"Coverage for early intervention services","url":"\/38.2-3418.5\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.5","metadata":false},{"id":61674,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.6","catch_line":"Minimum hospital stay for mastectomy and certain lymph node dissection patients","url":"\/38.2-3418.6\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.6","metadata":false},{"id":71759,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.7","catch_line":"Coverage for prostate cancer screening","url":"\/38.2-3418.7\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.7","metadata":false},{"id":62197,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.7:1","catch_line":"Coverage for colorectal cancer screening","url":"\/38.2-3418.7_1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.7_1","metadata":false},{"id":63576,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.8","catch_line":"Coverage for clinical trials for treatment studies on cancer","url":"\/38.2-3418.8\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.8","metadata":false},{"id":72556,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.9","catch_line":"Minimum hospital stay for hysterectomy","url":"\/38.2-3418.9\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.9","metadata":false},{"id":66144,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3419","catch_line":"Additional mandated coverage made optional to group policy or contract holder","url":"\/38.2-3419\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3419","metadata":false},{"id":57559,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3419.1","catch_line":"Report of costs and utilization of mandated benefits","url":"\/38.2-3419.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3419.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81464,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.12","catch_line":"Coverage for hospitalization and anesthesia for dental procedures","url":"\/38.2-3418.12\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.12","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":85731,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.14","catch_line":"Coverage for lymphedema","url":"\/38.2-3418.14\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.14","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/38.2-3418.13\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2000. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?001+ful+CHAP0465\">465<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2003, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP0462\">462<\/a>; in 2014, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?141+ful+CHAP0814\">814<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":66144,"section_number":"38.2-3419","catch_line":"Additional mandated coverage made optional to group policy or contract holder","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3419\/"}],"permalink":{"id":215233,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82972,"identifier":"38.2-3418.13","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.13","url":"\/38.2-3418.13\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/38.2-3418.13\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.13","dublin_core":{"Title":"Coverage for the treatment of morbid obesity","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 38.2-3418.13","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Additional mandated coverage made optional to group policy or contract holder\" href=\"\/38.2-3419\/\">38.2-3419<\/a>, in the large group market, each <span class=\"dictionary\">insurer<\/span> proposing to <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> accident and sickness <span class=\"dictionary\">insurance policies<\/span> providing hospital, medical and surgical, or major medical coverage on an expense-incurred basis; each corporation providing accident and sickness subscription <span class=\"dictionary\">contracts<\/span>; and each health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services shall offer and make available coverage under any such policy, <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> or plan for the treatment of <span class=\"dictionary\">morbid obesity<\/span> through gastric bypass surgery or such other methods as may be recognized by the National Institutes of Health as effective for the long-term reversal of <span class=\"dictionary\">morbid obesity<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-297366\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3418.13\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The reimbursement for the treatment of <span class=\"dictionary\">morbid obesity<\/span> shall be determined according to the same formula by which charges are developed for other medical and surgical procedures. Such coverage shall have durational limits, dollar limits, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance factors that are no less favorable than for physical illness generally. Standards and criteria, including those related to diet, used by <span class=\"dictionary\">insurers<\/span> to approve or restrict access to surgery for <span class=\"dictionary\">morbid obesity<\/span> shall be based upon current clinical guidelines recognized by the National Institutes of Health. <a id=\"paragraph-297367\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3418.13\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> For purposes of this section, &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">morbid obesity<\/span>&#8221; means (i) a weight that is at least 100 pounds over or twice the ideal weight for frame, age, height, and gender as specified in the 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance tables, (ii) a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 35 kilograms per meter squared with comorbidity or coexisting medical conditions such as hypertension, cardiopulmonary conditions, sleep apnea, or diabetes, or (iii) a BMI of 40 kilograms per meter squared without such comorbidity. As used herein, BMI equals weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. <a id=\"paragraph-297368\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3418.13\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident-only, limited or specified disease policies or <span class=\"dictionary\">contracts<\/span> designed for issuance to <span class=\"dictionary\">persons<\/span> eligible for coverage under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, known as <span class=\"dictionary\">Medicare<\/span>, or any other similar coverage under <span class=\"dictionary\">state<\/span> or governmental plans or to short-term nonrenewable policies of not more than six months&#8217; duration; health care plans, <span class=\"dictionary\">contracts<\/span>, or policies issued in the individual or small group market; or a qualified health plan when the plan is offered in the Commonwealth by a health carrier through a health benefit exchange established under &#xA7; 1311 of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148). <a id=\"paragraph-297369\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3418.13\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCOVERAGE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MORBID OBESITY (\u00a7 38.2-3418.13)\n\nA. Notwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; 38.2-3419, in the large group\nmarket, each insurer proposing to issue accident and sickness insurance policies\nproviding hospital, medical and surgical, or major medical coverage on an\nexpense-incurred basis; each corporation providing accident and sickness\nsubscription contracts; and each health maintenance organization providing a\nhealth care plan for health care services shall offer and make available\ncoverage under any such policy, contract or plan for the treatment of morbid\nobesity through gastric bypass surgery or such other methods as may be\nrecognized by the National Institutes of Health as effective for the long-term\nreversal of morbid obesity.\n\nB. The reimbursement for the treatment of morbid obesity shall be determined\naccording to the same formula by which charges are developed for other medical\nand surgical procedures. Such coverage shall have durational limits, dollar\nlimits, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance factors that are no less\nfavorable than for physical illness generally. Standards and criteria, including\nthose related to diet, used by insurers to approve or restrict access to surgery\nfor morbid obesity shall be based upon current clinical guidelines recognized by\nthe National Institutes of Health.\n\nC. For purposes of this section, &#8220;morbid obesity&#8221; means (i) a weight\nthat is at least 100 pounds over or twice the ideal weight for frame, age,\nheight, and gender as specified in the 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance tables,\n(ii) a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 35 kilograms per meter\nsquared with comorbidity or coexisting medical conditions such as hypertension,\ncardiopulmonary conditions, sleep apnea, or diabetes, or (iii) a BMI of 40\nkilograms per meter squared without such comorbidity. As used herein, BMI equals\nweight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.\n\nD. The provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel,\naccident-only, limited or specified disease policies or contracts designed for\nissuance to persons eligible for coverage under Title XVIII of the Social\nSecurity Act, known as Medicare, or any other similar coverage under state or\ngovernmental plans or to short-term nonrenewable policies of not more than six\nmonths&#8217; duration; health care plans, contracts, or policies issued in the\nindividual or small group market; or a qualified health plan when the plan is\noffered in the Commonwealth by a health carrier through a health benefit\nexchange established under &#xA7; 1311 of the federal Patient Protection and\nAffordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148).\n\nHISTORY: 2000, c. 465; 2003, c. 462; 2014, c. 814.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}