Task force member wants firms to update HIV/AIDS coverage
Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008
A task force on HIV / AIDS impact on the state’s minoritygroup communities on Monday considered recommending to lawmakers that insurers be required to cover patients who have the virus or disease.
“It’s a good idea,” said Rick Collins of Little Rock, chairman of the Arkansas HIV / AIDS Minority Task Force, after Monday’s meeting. “But it’s something we’ll have to discuss more.” Dr. Wallace Thomas, associate medical director at Arkansas Blue Cross / Blue Shield, said it surprised him to find out that there was no state mandate for insurers to provide coverage for patients who have HIV / AIDS.
“I was, quite frankly, shocked that it was not [mandated ],” said Thomas.
Thomas, a task force member from Hot Springs, noted that state law requires insurance carriers to provide coverage with FDA-approved drugs for patients with cancer.
All insurers active in the state voluntarily provide HIV / AIDS coverage in their policies.
But uninsured people with HIV / AIDS would have a hard time getting insured when they seek coverage, Thomas said.
“I won’t say it’s impossible, but it’s remote,” he said.
And companies with fewer than 50 employees might set conditions like not covering any medical expenses associated with HIV / AIDS for the first year of employment, he said.
Statewide, about 5, 200 people have been diagnosed with HIV / AIDS. Since 1999, blacks and whites have been diagnosed with HIV in nearly equal numbers even though blacks make up just 15 percent of the state’s population.
Dr. Michelle Smith of North Little Rock asked why not make it mandatory for carriers to treat existing HIV / AIDS patients.
“Since they’re already doing it voluntarily, it would basically be symbolic,” Smith said.
“I would have no problem with that,” Thomas replied.
The 19-member task force was appointed by Gov. Mike Beebe in January after it was created by 2007 legislation sponsored by Rep. Willie Hardy, D-Camden.
The panel is to submit a report to the governor and House and Senate leadership by Nov. 1.
So far, the task force has held a fact-gathering forum in Little Rock. Another is planned for Fayetteville on Thursday. Forums are also slated for Pine Bluff in August and West Memphis in September.
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