Bill
Bill > HB490
summary
Introduced
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
In Committee
02/18/2026
02/18/2026
Crossed Over
02/16/2026
02/16/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Health insurance; coverage for early refills prescription eye drops. Prohibits a health carrier from denying coverage to a covered person of an early refill of prescription eye drops if (i) the prescription eye drops are a covered benefit, (ii) the amount of time that has elapsed from the previous dispensing of such prescription would result in at least 85 percent of such prescription eye drops being used if taken consistently with the prescriber's directions, and (iii) the prescriber has indicated that additional quantities are medically necessary and the refill requested does not exceed such additional quantity. The provisions of the bill are applicable to contracts, policies, or plans delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth on and after January 1, 2027.
AI Summary
This bill requires health insurance providers, referred to as "health carriers," to cover early refills of prescription eye drops under certain conditions, starting January 1, 2027. Specifically, a health carrier cannot deny coverage if the eye drops are a covered benefit, if at least 85 percent of the previous prescription would have been used by the time of the refill request based on the doctor's instructions, and if the prescriber confirms that more is medically necessary and the requested amount doesn't exceed that need. The bill also prohibits imposing different copayments or fees for these early refills compared to other prescriptions in the same category. This applies to most health insurance plans, excluding short-term or government-specific plans.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB490 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB490) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1156886.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB490/text/HB490E |
| Labor and Commerce Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB490/text/HB490AH1 |
| Subcommittee #1 Subcommittee Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB490/text/HB490AHC2 |
| Labor and Commerce Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB490/text/HB490AHC1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB490) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096168.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB490/text/HB490 |
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