Bill > SB544

This bill limits how health insurance carriers (companies that provide health coverage) can modify prescription drug formularies (lists of covered medications). Specifically, the bill mandates that health carriers can only change drug coverage at the time of plan renewal and must apply any changes uniformly across all identical or substantially identical health benefit plans. Additionally, the bill requires that any prescription drug previously approved or covered under a health plan must continue to be offered to the enrollee at their current benefit level until their plan's renewal date, even if the drug has been removed from the plan's formulary. The goal is to protect patients from unexpected mid-year changes in their prescription drug coverage that could disrupt their medical treatment. The Insurance Department notes that these requirements might increase carrier costs, which could potentially be passed on to policyholders through higher premiums. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage and applies to health benefit plans in the jurisdiction (in this case, New Hampshire).

Health and Social Services

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1359&inflect=2