2013 -- H 5983

=======

LC02317

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE - PRESCRIPTION EYE DROP REFILLS

     Introduced By: Representative Thomas Winfield

     Date Introduced: April 11, 2013

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

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

1-2

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

1-3

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

1-4

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

1-5

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

1-6

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

1-7

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

1-8

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

1-9

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

1-10

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

1-11

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

1-12

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

1-13

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

1-14

care provider to verify the prescription.

1-15

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

1-16

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

1-17

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

1-18

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

1-19

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

1-20

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

2-1

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

2-2

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

2-3

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

2-4

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

2-5

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

2-6

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

2-7

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

2-8

prescription.

2-9

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

2-10

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

2-11

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

2-12

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

2-13

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

2-14

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

2-15

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

2-16

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

2-17

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

2-18

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

2-19

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

2-20

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

2-21

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

2-22

prescription.

2-23

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

2-24

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

2-25

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

2-26

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

2-27

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

2-28

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

2-29

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

2-30

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

2-31

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

2-32

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

2-33

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

2-34

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

3-1

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

3-2

prescription.

3-3

     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02317

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE - PRESCRIPTION EYE DROP REFILLS

***

4-1

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

4-2

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

4-3

     This act would take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02317

=======