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Bill > S3818


NJ S3818

Requires third-party discounts and payments for individuals covered by health benefits plans to apply to copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs for covered benefits.


summary

Introduced
10/24/2024
In Committee
12/12/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill prohibits health insurance carriers and pharmacy benefits managers in New Jersey from using accumulators. Under the bill, a carrier and a pharmacy benefits manager is required to give credit, when calculating the liability of an insured for a coinsurance, copayment, deductible, or other out-of-pocket expense for a covered benefit, for any discount provided or payment made by a third party for the amount of, or any portion of the amount of, the coinsurance, copayment, deductible or other out-of-pocket expense for the covered benefit. In the case of a high-deductible health plan, credit is to be applied to the maximum extent permitted under federal law, or (1) to the extent permitted under federal law and (2) in accordance with certain stipulations in the Internal Revenue Code. The bill also amends a new law regulating pharmacy benefits managers to widen the scope of practice of pharmacy benefits management services and to modify what cost-sharing includes. Previous federal policy allowed health insurers to dismiss the use of third-party discounts or coupons when the carrier calculated an insured's cost-sharing liability. Through this bill, New Jersey joins a growing number of U.S. jurisdictions prohibiting insurers from dismissing assistance received by covered persons to help pay their share of cost-sharing to carriers.

AI Summary

This bill prohibits health insurance carriers and pharmacy benefits managers in New Jersey from dismissing third-party discounts or payments when calculating an insured's cost-sharing liability, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. It requires carriers and pharmacy benefits managers to provide credit for any discounts or payments made by a third party when determining an insured's out-of-pocket costs for covered benefits, including for high-deductible health plans to the extent permitted by federal law. The bill also amends the definition of "pharmacy benefits management services" to expand the scope of services provided by pharmacy benefits managers. This legislation is part of a growing trend in the U.S. to prohibit insurers from dismissing assistance received by covered individuals to help pay their share of cost-sharing to carriers.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

Senate Budget and Appropriations Hearing (10:00:00 6/9/2025 Committee Room 4, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ) (on 06/09/2025)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3818
Fiscal Note - Fiscal Estimate 6/4/25; as introduced https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4000/3818_E1.PDF
Analysis - Statement SCM 12/12/24 https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4000/3818_S1.PDF
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4000/3818_I1.HTM
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