SENATE BILL 23

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

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 COPAYMENTS.--Any health care coverage, including any form of self-insurance, offered, issued or renewed under the Health Care Purchasing Act on or after July 1, 2005 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 COPAYMENTS.--An individual or group hospital or medical expense insurance policy offered, issued or renewed in New Mexico on or after July 1, 2005 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 COPAYMENTS.--Each group health insurance policy offered, issued or renewed in New Mexico on or after July 1, 2005 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 COPAYMENTS.--All individual and group health maintenance organization contracts offered, issued or renewed in New Mexico on or after July 1, 2005 that offer 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 COPAYMENTS.--Any individual and group subscriber contracts offered, issued or renewed in New Mexico on or after July 1, 2005 that offer 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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