For more information about insurance coverage of clinical trial costs, see this feature's main page: States That Require Health Plans to Cover Patient Care Costs in Clinical Trials 1. Legislation: House Bill 4376 (Chapter 257) 2 Effective: January 2003 What clinical trials are covered? All phases of cancer treatment trials. Trial must be peer-reviewed and approved by one of the following: National Institutes of Health (NIH) an NIH-sponsored cooperative group or center U.S. Department of Defense U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs U.S. Food and Drug Administration A qualified non-government research entity Who is required to pay? All health plans issued or renewed after January 1, 2003. Other key provisions: Insurers must provide payment for services that are "consistent with the usual and customary standard of care" provided under the trial's protocol and that would be covered if the patient did not participate in the trial.