HB18 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tommy Hanes

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Firefighters, retired, occupational disease, cancer diagnosis within 10 yrs of retirement, reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by health ins. or Medicare under certain conditions

Summary

HB 18 would require employers to reimburse certain out-of-pocket medical expenses for retired certified firefighters diagnosed with occupational cancer within 10 years of retirement, if not covered by their health plan or Medicare.

What This Bill Does

If a retired certified firefighter is diagnosed with an occupational cancer within 10 years of retirement, the employer must reimburse out-of-pocket costs for cancer treatment that are not covered by the firefighter's health insurance or Medicare. The reimbursement is paid by the employer and applies only to costs within the firefighter's insurance network, and not for experimental treatments or non-network travel unless approved. The employer is not required to provide reimbursement if the cancer was caused by factors other than the occupation. The bill also sets when the act would take effect after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Retired certified firefighters who are diagnosed with occupational cancer within 10 years of retirement and have costs not covered by health insurance or Medicare.
• Employers (municipalities, agencies, boards, or districts that employ paid certified firefighters) who would be responsible for paying these reimbursements.

Key Provisions

• Defines cancer as cancer originating in the brain, skin, digestive, hematological, or genitourinary systems for purposes of this act.
• Defines occupational disease as a disease arising out of and in the course of employment due to hazards beyond those ordinarily incident to employment.
• Defines retired certified firefighter as someone with firefighting certification, at least three years of service, and who left service per employer rules.
• Requires the employer to reimburse out-of-pocket medical expenses related to cancer not covered by health insurance or Medicare if diagnosed within 10 years of retirement.
• Requires the employer to pay all costs of reimbursement; excludes experimental treatments and travel outside the network unless requested by a physician and approved by the insurer.
• Excludes reimbursement if the cancer was caused by factors other than occupation.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Firefighters