2013 -- S 0537

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LC01311

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE - PRESCRIPTION EYE DROP REFILLS

     Introduced By: Senators Felag, Lynch, Ciccone, Lombardi, and Ottiano

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled “Accident and Sickness

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Insurance Policies” is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-18-79. Prescription eye drop refills. - Coverage mandated. -- Every policy which

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provides coverage for prescription drugs shall, with regard to eye drop medication requiring a

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prescription that has been approved by the insurer for coverage, allow for the limited refilling of

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the prescription prior to the last day of the approved dosage period without regard to any

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coverage restrictions on early refill of renewals; provided, however, that any refill dispensed prior

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to the expiration of the prescribed and approved coverage period pursuant to this paragraph, shall,

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to the extent practicable, be limited in quantity so as not to exceed the remaining dosage initially

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approved for coverage; provided, further, that such limited refilling shall not limit or restrict

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coverage with regard to any previously or subsequently approved prescription for eye drop

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medication, and shall be subject to the terms and condition of policy otherwise applicable to this

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coverage; provided, further, that a pharmacist may contact the prescribing physician or health

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care provider to verify the prescription.

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled “Individual Health Insurance

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Coverage” is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-19-70. Prescription eye drop refills. -- Every policy which provides coverage for

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prescription drugs shall, with regard to eye drop medication requiring a prescription that has been

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approved by the insurer for coverage, allow for the limited refilling of the prescription prior to the

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last day of the approved dosage period without regard to any coverage restrictions on early refill

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of renewals; provided, however, that any refill dispensed prior to the expiration of the prescribed

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and approved coverage period pursuant to this paragraph, shall, to the extent practicable, be

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limited in quantity so as not to exceed the remaining dosage initially approved for coverage;

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provided, further, that such limited refilling shall not limit or restrict coverage with regard to any

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previously or subsequently approved prescription for eye drop medication, and shall be subject to

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the terms and condition of policy otherwise applicable to this coverage; provided, further, that a

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pharmacist may contact the prescribing physician or health care provider to verify the

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prescription.

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     SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled “Nonprofit Medical Service

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Corporations” is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-20-66. Prescription eye drop refills. -- Every policy which provides coverage for

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prescription drugs shall, with regard to eye drop medication requiring a prescription that has been

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approved by the insurer for coverage, allow for the limited refilling of the prescription prior to the

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last day of the approved dosage period without regard to any coverage restrictions on early refill

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of renewals; provided, however, that any refill dispensed prior to the expiration of the prescribed

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and approved coverage period pursuant to this paragraph, shall, to the extent practicable, be

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limited in quantity so as not to exceed the remaining dosage initially approved for coverage;

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provided, further, that such limited refilling shall not limit or restrict coverage with regard to any

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previously or subsequently approved prescription for eye drop medication, and shall be subject to

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the terms and condition of policy otherwise applicable to this coverage; provided, further, that a

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pharmacist may contact the prescribing physician or health care provider to verify the

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prescription.

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     SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled “Health Maintenance

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Organizations” is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-41-83. Prescription eye drop refills. -- Every policy which provides coverage for

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prescription drugs shall, with regard to eye drop medication requiring a prescription that has been

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approved by the insurer for coverage, allow for the limited refilling of the prescription prior to the

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last day of the approved dosage period without regard to any coverage restrictions on early refill

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of renewals; provided, however, that any refill dispensed prior to the expiration of the prescribed

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and approved coverage period pursuant to this paragraph, shall, to the extent practicable, be

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limited in quantity so as not to exceed the remaining dosage initially approved for coverage;

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provided, further, that such limited refilling shall not limit or restrict coverage with regard to any

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previously or subsequently approved prescription for eye drop medication and shall be subject to

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the terms and condition of policy otherwise applicable to this coverage; provided, further, that a

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pharmacist may contact the prescribing physician or health care provider to verify the

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prescription.

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     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01311

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE - PRESCRIPTION EYE DROP REFILLS

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     This act would allow early refilling of eye drop prescription medication prior to the last

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day of the approved dosage period without insurance coverage restrictions on early refill.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01311

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