Kansas Senate Bill SB150

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25
• Refer: 2/4/25

Caption

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.