summary
Introduced
02/13/2015
02/13/2015
In Committee
08/31/2015
08/31/2015
Crossed Over
06/03/2015
06/03/2015
Passed
09/11/2015
09/11/2015
Dead
05/28/2015
05/28/2015
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
10/08/2015
10/08/2015
Introduced Session
2015-2016 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act to amend Section 1367.205 of, to add Sections 1367.41 and 1367.42 to, and to add and repeal Section 1342.71 of, the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Section 10123.192 of, to add Section 10123.201 to, and to add and repeal Section 10123.193 of, the Insurance Code, relating to health care coverage.
AI Summary
This bill aims to improve access to and affordability of outpatient prescription drugs for individuals covered by health care service plans and health insurance policies. It prohibits formularies, which are lists of covered drugs, from discouraging enrollment of people with health conditions or reducing benefits for those with specific conditions. For non-grandfathered plans, it sets limits on cost-sharing for covered outpatient prescription drugs, capping copayments and coinsurance at $250 for a 30-day supply, with higher limits for bronze-level plans and high-deductible plans, and limits annual deductibles for outpatient drugs. The bill also mandates coverage for medically necessary prescription drugs, including those not on the formulary, and requires health plans and insurers to have a pharmacy and therapeutics committee responsible for overseeing drug formularies. Additionally, it ensures that individuals can access their prescription drug benefits at in-network retail pharmacies and requires that cost-sharing for these drugs counts towards annual out-of-pocket limits. These provisions apply to plans and policies offered, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2017, with some provisions expiring on January 1, 2020.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 619, Statutes of 2015. (on 10/08/2015)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...