HOUSE BILL 169

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Richard D. Vigil

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE; REQUIRING STANDARD COPAYMENTS ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG PURCHASES.

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

     Section 1. A new section of Chapter 13, Article 7 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE--COPAYMENTS.--Health care coverage, including any form of self-insurance, offered, issued or renewed under the Health Care Purchasing Act on or after July 1, 2004 that offers prescription drug coverage with copayments by the insured shall require that copayments be the same for any prescribed drug, in the same quantity and for the same duration, whether the prescription is dispensed by a retail pharmacy, by mail order or by any other means."

     Section 2. A new section of Chapter 59A, Article 22 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE--COPAYMENTS.--An individual or group hospital or medical expense insurance policy offered, issued or renewed in New Mexico on or after July 1, 2004 that offers prescription drug coverage with copayments by the insured shall require that copayments be the same for any prescribed drug, in the same quantity and for the same duration, whether the prescription is dispensed by a retail pharmacy, by mail order or by any other means."

     Section 3. A new section of Chapter 59A, Article 23 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE--COPAYMENTS.--A group health insurance policy offered, issued or renewed in New Mexico on or after July 1, 2004 that offers prescription drug coverage with copayments by the insured shall require that copayments be the same for any prescribed drug, in the same quantity and for the same duration, whether the prescription is dispensed by a retail pharmacy, by mail order or by any other means."

     Section 4. A new section of Chapter 59A, Article 46 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE--COPAYMENTS.-- An individual or group health maintenance organization contract offered, issued or renewed in New Mexico on or after July 1, 2004 that offers prescription drug coverage with copayments by the enrollee shall require that copayments be the same for any prescribed drug, in the same quantity and for the same duration, whether the prescription is dispensed by a retail pharmacy, by mail order or by any other means."

     Section 5. A new section of Chapter 59A, Article 47 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE--COPAYMENTS.-- An individual or group subscriber contract offered, issued or renewed in New Mexico on or after July 1, 2004 that offers prescription drug coverage with copayments by the subscriber shall require that copayments be the same for any prescribed drug, in the same quantity and for the same duration, whether the prescription is dispensed by a retail pharmacy, by mail order or by any other means."

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