Louisiana House Bill HB119

Louisiana 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/22/19
• Refer: 3/22/19
• Refer: 4/8/19
• Report Pass: 5/1/19
• Engrossed: 5/14/19
• Refer: 5/15/19
• Report Pass: 5/22/19
• Enrolled: 6/6/19
• Chaptered: 6/11/19
• Passed: 6/11/19

Caption

Provides relative to the denial of a prescription based upon step therapy or fail first protocols or nonformulary status

Impact

The passage of HB 119 is expected to bring significant changes to health insurance practices in Louisiana, particularly for providers and prescribers involved in the treatment of patients requiring specific medications. By mandating that insurers provide a list of comparable medications in cases of coverage denial, the bill aims to streamline the process for healthcare providers, enabling them to find suitable alternatives without unnecessary delays. This change could improve patient outcomes by ensuring that treatment plans are not hindered by bureaucratic barriers in insurance processes.

Summary

House Bill 119 seeks to amend existing Louisiana statutes concerning health insurance policies, particularly in relation to prescription drug coverage. The primary focus of this legislation is to require health insurance providers to inform prescribers about alternative medications when a prescribed drug is denied due to step therapy or fail first protocols, as well as for drugs that are nonformulary. This initiative is intended to enhance the transparency of insurance policies regarding prescription medications and ensure that prescribers have the necessary information to make informed decisions about patient care.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 119 appears to be supportive, particularly among healthcare providers and advocates for patient rights. The bill is regarded as a positive step towards improving the communication between insurers and healthcare professionals, thus fostering better patient care. However, there may be dissenting opinions from insurance companies concerned about potential increases in administrative burdens and costs resulting from these new requirements.

Contention

While HB 119 is generally seen as beneficial, one area of contention may lie in the implementation and ongoing management of the provisions mandated by the bill. Critics might argue that the requirements could complicate existing processes for insurers, leading to potential inefficiencies or unintended consequences in the healthcare delivery system. Furthermore, the balance between ensuring adequate patient care and managing the operational costs of insurance practices may spark further debates among stakeholders.