Measure minimizes the stigma associated with addiction

(Friday, December 19, 2008- Columbus, OH) The Uniform Individual Accident and Sickness Policy Provision Law (UPPL), which prohibits certain insurers from limiting or excluding coverage for injuries sustained while using alcohol or drugs, passed Ohio’s General Assembly earlier this week. It passed in the Ohio Senate by a vote of 32-0 on Wednesday and the Ohio House concurred in Senate Amendments to House Bill 493 by a vote of 93-1 later the same day.

UPPL was included as an amendment to House Bill 493, legislation that deals with medical billing, was offered in the Senate’s Health, Human Services and Aging Committee by Senator Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) earlier this month. UPPL’s content was taken from the recommendations of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL). The amendment is also supported by the Ohio State Medical Association and the Ohio Hospital Association.

Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Director Angela Cornelius Dawson commented, “We are very pleased that UPPL passed. It takes us, as a society, one step closer to eliminating the stigma that surrounds the disease of addiction and it will help to ensure all injured Ohioans receive timely and appropriate medical care.”

The NAIC model that excluded coverage for injuries sustained while using alcohol or other drugs was first adopted about 50 years ago and attitudes regarding substance abuse have changed since then. Additionally, emergency room physicians have stated they are hesitant to perform alcohol screenings because of the fear of negating an insured’s ability to afford treatment for injuries if an insurer enforces the exclusion. The removal of this exclusion via UPPL will encourage doctors and hospitals to screen ER patients for alcohol and drugs and thereby ensure patients receive the proper treatment, and ensure that health care providers and hospitals get paid.

To date, 14 other states have repealed their UPPL exclusion provision: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont and Washington.

For media inquiries, please contact Amanda Conn Starner, ODADAS Chief of Communications (614) 644-8456, connstarner@ada.ohio.gov or Lisa Generette, ODADAS Public Information Officer at (614) 466-5987.