Prohibiting the denial of coverage for the refilling of prescription topical eye medication.
Impact
If enacted, SB150 will amend existing Kansas statutes related to health insurance, specifically K.S.A. 40-2,103 and K.S.A. 40-19c09. The bill's adoption will remove barriers to necessary medication refills, thus ensuring that patients with chronic eye conditions can maintain treatment without interruption. This change aims to alleviate potential health complications associated with missed doses or delays in medication refills, thereby improving overall patient health outcomes.
Summary
Senate Bill 150 aims to enhance health insurance coverage for patients requiring prescription topical eye medication. The bill mandates that health insurance policies provide coverage for refilling such medications, particularly when they are needed to treat chronic eye conditions. Importantly, the refill must be requested by the insured before the last day of the prescribed dosage period, and it must occur after the patient has utilized at least 75% of the medication. The prescribing physician or optometrist must have indicated on the original prescription that refills are permissible.
Contention
There may be concerns from some stakeholders regarding the financial implications of this mandate for insurance providers. Critics could argue that requiring coverage for early refills may lead to increased costs for insurance companies, which may subsequently raise premiums for all policyholders. Supporters, however, argue that this legislation is a necessary step to ensure that patients receive the medications they need in a timely manner, thereby preventing more significant health issues down the line.
Requiring that certain health insurance plans impose no-cost sharing requirement on insured individuals for diagnostic breast examinations for breast cancer.
Enacting the medical autonomy/accessibility and truth act to remove certain provisions regarding abortion from the no taxpayer funding for abortion act, the woman's-right-to-know act and the pain-capable unborn child act to allow for insurance coverage for abortions, provide tax benefits for abortion-related services and remove inaccurate statements regarding the risks of abortion.
Changing the required number of employees contained in the definitions of "large employer" and "small employer" for purposes of coverage for autism spectrum disorder.
Changing the required number of employees contained in the definitions of "large employer" and "small employer" for purposes of coverage of autism spectrum disorder.
Defining in-state and interstate practitioners under the Kansas telemedicine act, establishing certain standards of care, requiring certain insurance coverage of in-state telemedicine services and establishing the Kansas telehealth advisory committee.
Defining in-state and interstate practitioners under the Kansas telemedicine act, establishing certain standards of care, requiring certain insurance coverage of in-state telemedicine services and establishing the Kansas telehealth advisory committee.