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SPONSOR: | Knauer | DATE TYPED: | 02/02/01 | HB | 303 | ||
SHORT TITLE: | Standard Co-Pay on Prescription Drugs | SB | |||||
ANALYST: | Wilson |
Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
FY01 | FY02 | FY01 | FY02 | ||
NFI |
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Health Policy Commission
Public Regulation Commission
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
HB 303 amends the insurance code by adding new sections of law. These additions require that any health insurance contract that offers prescription drug benefits with co-payments shall require that co-payments shall be the same for any drug regardless of the method dispensed. HB 303 also amends NMSA 1978 Chapter 13 and applies to any health coverage offered under the Health Care Purchasing Act.
Significant Issues
Some plans offer different co-pays depending on whether or not the prescription is obtained from a retail pharmacy vs mail order. The different level of co-pay is used by the plan to give the insured an economic incentive to choose mail order. The plan usually has negotiated contracts through these suppliers that have lower costs. Plans use this method to lower health care costs.
RELATIONSHIP
Relates to -
SJM 8, Medicare Outpatient Pharmacy Benefit
SJM 9, Fill Prescriptions at Federal Health Centers
SB 140, Indian Prescription Drug Purchase
SB 141, Prescription Drug Fair Pricing Act
SB 142, NM Prescription Drug Senior Act
SB 143, Prescription Drug Senior Program
SB 144, Prescription Drug Bulk Purchasing
HJM 21, Affordable Drug Program Options for Seniors
HJM 22, Study Rising Costs of Prescription Drugs
HB 297, NM Prescription Drug Discount Act
HB 298, Native American Prescription Drug Program
HB 300, Special Prescription Drug Program for Seniors
HB 301, Prescription Drug Fair Pricing Act
HB 302, Prescription Drug Benefit for Seniors
TECHNICAL ISSUES
The Health Policy Commission states that Article 7 of Chapter 13 is a new section added to the Public Purchases and Property, which currently includes;
There is a question as to whether the placement in this Chapter of the NMSA is appropriate.
SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
DW/ar:prr