Relative to affordability and safety of clinician administered drugs.
Impact
The bill mandates that health plans utilize the lowest cost method for reimbursements for clinician-administered drugs, ensuring that HMOs can neither refuse authorizations nor make patients transport medications intended for professional administration. This legislative framework aims to enhance patient safety by streamlining drug administration processes and ensuring timely access to necessary medications. Furthermore, it aligns the reimbursement procedures with medical standards of care, potentially leading to quicker delivery of critical drugs to patients in need.
Summary
House Bill 513 seeks to address the affordability and safety of clinician-administered drugs in New Hampshire. The bill introduces a new section to the Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) law, specifying the criteria under which clinician-administered drugs should be covered. It defines clinician-administered drugs as outpatient prescription drugs that cannot be reasonably self-administered by patients and typically require administration by a healthcare professional. This classification ensures that such drugs are supported by the insurance system when dispensed in clinical settings, such as hospitals and outpatient facilities.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding HB 513 include the projected financial implications for healthcare providers and insurance premiums. The Insurance Department anticipates an increase in costs associated with higher-priced methods of dispensing these medications, which could result in higher premiums for both state and local health insurance plans. Critics may argue that these increased costs could burden patients and insurance systems in the long term, potentially outweighing the benefits of broader drug access and safety protocols. The bill's effective date is set for January 1, 2024, which allows time for stakeholders to assess and adjust to the regulatory changes.
Relative to eligibility criteria for the therapeutic cannabis program and establishing a commission to study state-controlled sales of cannabis and relative to the prohibition on the sale of hemp products containing certain levels of THC.