Connecticut 2021 2021 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB01003 Introduced / Fiscal Note

Filed 04/28/2021

                    OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS 
Legislative Office Building, Room 5200 
Hartford, CT 06106  (860) 240-0200 
http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa 
SB-1003 
AN ACT PROHIBITING CERTAIN HEALTH CARRIERS AND 
PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGERS FROM EMPLOYING COPAY 
ACCUMULATOR PROGRAMS. 
AMENDMENT 
LCO No.: 7656 
File Copy No.: 363 
Senate Calendar No.: 230  
 
Primary Analyst: AN 	4/28/21 
Contributing Analyst(s):  	() 
 
 
 
 
OFA Fiscal Note 
 
State Impact: 
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 22 $ FY 23 $ FY 24 $ 
State 
Comptroller - 
Fringe Benefits
1
 
GF - Potential 
Cost 
None None See Below 
Note: GF=General Fund 
  
Municipal Impact: 
Municipalities Effect FY 22 $ FY 23 $ FY 24 $ 
Various 
Municipalities 
Potential 
Cost 
None None Minimal 
  
Explanation 
The amendment strikes the underlying bill and its associated fiscal 
impact. 
For plan years starting on and after January 1, 2024, the amendment 
prohibits health carriers and pharmacy benefits managers from using 
                                                
1
The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts 
administered by the Comptroller. The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost 
associated with most personnel changes is 41.3% of payroll in FY 22 and FY 23.  2021SB-01003-R00LCO07656-FNA.DOCX 	Page 2 of 2 
 
 
copay accumulator programs, thereby potentially increasing the cost of 
providing benefits to the state employee and retiree health plan and 
municipalities. 
Copay accumulator programs prohibit manufacturer coupons that 
are provided to enrollees by prescription manufacturers from being 
applied to the out of pocket cost for the brand name drug. By prohibiting 
such programs, the bill may increase costs depending on the negotiation 
of contracts between the state and municipalities and their respective 
pharmacy benefit managers
2
. Any increased cost will be reflected in 
premiums for plan years starting on and after January 1, 2024. It is 
anticipated that the net impact to premiums as a result of the bill will be 
minimal relative to the overall employer share of the premium. 
 
The preceding Fiscal Impact statement is prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely 
for the purposes of information, summarization and explanation and does not represent the intent of the General 
Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of 
informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is 
consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any 
specific department. 
                                                
2
 There is evidence that the price of couponed drugs rises at a faster rate than non-
couponed drugs. Medicare does not permit manufacturer coupons.