Bill > S1694

Introduced Session

This bill limits the amount that a covered person is required to pay upfront in order to obtain oral anticancer medications by amending P.L.2011, c. 188, which requires health insurers, the State Health Benefits Program, and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program to cover oral anticancer medications on a basis no less favorable than intravenous anticancer medications. Specifically, the bill provides that, except for any copayment, deductible or coinsurance required to be paid by the covered person pursuant to the contract or policy, a contract or policy shall not require a covered person to pay any additional upfront cost or out of pocket expense for orally administered anticancer medications, even if reimbursement for that cost or expense is to be provided to the covered person at a later date. Due to the extremely high cost of many oral anticancer medications, many patients cannot afford to pay for these medications upfront and wait for reimbursement from their insurer or health benefits plan at a later date. This bill attempts to remedy these situations by limiting upfront costs to the patient's copayment, deductible or coinsurance.

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Anthony Bucco (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee (on 02/29/2016)