Bill > A01013

This bill amends the workers' compensation law in New York to relate to contracted network pharmacy use. The key provisions are: 1) Employers or insurance carriers can now "encourage" rather than "require" claimants to obtain prescribed medicines from a pharmacy with which the employer or carrier has a contract, except in medical emergencies. 2) If the contracted pharmacy does not offer mail order service or have a physical location within a reasonable distance, the claimant may obtain the prescribed medicines from any licensed in-state pharmacy, and the employer or carrier will be liable for the charges. 3) If the network pharmacy or insurance carrier fails to authorize or respond to a request for medication within 72 hours, the claimant can obtain the medication from any licensed in-state pharmacy, which will be entitled to prompt payment upon approval of the medication. 4) The bill takes effect 30 days after becoming law, and authorizes any necessary rule or regulation changes to be made by the effective date.