RELATING TO HEALTH CARE; REQUIRING UNIFORM PRESCRIPTION DRUG IDENTIFICATION CARDS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARD--UNIFORMITY--

DESIGN.--

A. The superintendent of insurance, following guidelines recommended by a national council for prescription drug programs, shall design, by January 1, 2002, a uniform prescription drug identification card to be utilized by all persons:

(1) having prescription drug coverage provided by a health insurer, health maintenance organization or managed care organization; or

(2) obtaining prescription drugs through a pharmacy benefit manager or a prescription drug purchasing cooperative functioning with a self-insurance plan or by any other method.

B. The prescription drug identification card shall include all data necessary for pharmacists to submit claims for prescription drugs.

Section 2. PRESCRIPTION DRUG IDENTIFICATION CARD REQUIRED--PHASED IMPLEMENTATION.--

A. Every individual or group health insurance policy, health care plan or certificate of health insurance delivered or issued for delivery in this state shall issue and require any person who is a party to or member of the policy, plan or certificate to use a uniform prescription drug identification card, as approved by the superintendent of insurance, in obtaining prescription drugs at retail.

B. Every pharmacy benefit manager or prescription drug cooperative purchasing program providing prescription drugs in New Mexico, whether in conjunction with a self-insurance plan or by any other method, shall provide and require each person obtaining prescription drugs through its program to utilize a prescription drug identification card, as approved by the superintendent of insurance, to obtain prescription drugs at retail.

C. Prescription drug identification cards required in Subsections A and B of this section shall be issued with policy or prescription drug identification card renewals in the normal course of business but in any case no later than July 1, 2002.

HB 537

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