Bill > S05896

This bill amends the insurance law to require insurance policies to include a process that allows insured individuals, their designees, or prescribing healthcare providers to obtain prescription refills fifteen days earlier than the scheduled refill date, but only during a declared state disaster emergency. The provision specifically excludes schedule II and schedule III controlled substances from this early refill option. This means that during a state of emergency (such as a pandemic or natural disaster), people with health insurance will be able to get their non-controlled prescription medications refilled up to two weeks before they would normally be eligible, ensuring they have sufficient medication on hand during potentially challenging circumstances. The bill applies to all insurance policies delivered or issued in New York state that provide prescription drug coverage, and it is designed to help prevent potential medication shortages or access issues during emergency situations.

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https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5896