Bill Text: DE SB137 | 2011-2012 | 146th General Assembly | Engrossed
Bill Title: An Act To Amend Title 18 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Cost-sharing, Deductible Or Co-insurance For Tier Iv Or Specialty Tier Prescription Drugs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-09-14 - Signed by Governor [SB137 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2011-SB137-Engrossed.html
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SPONSOR: |
Sen. Henry & Rep. Barbieri |
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Sens. Blevins, Hall-Long & Peterson; Reps. Q. Johnson, Keeley, D.E. Williams & Bolden |
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SENATE BILL NO. 137 AS AMENDED BY SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1 |
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COST-SHARING, DEDUCTIBLE OR CO-INSURANCE FOR TIER IV OR SPECIALTY TIER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
WHEREAS, traditional prescription drug benefit plans include a multi-tiered drug formulary structure. Generic drugs are in the first tier, preferred brand name drugs are in tier two, and non-preferred brand drugs are in tier three, for example. Specialty tiers are typically the fourth or greater tier; and
WHEREAS, specialty tier are commonly prescription drugs to treat conditions such as hemophilia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, some cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and others; and
WHEREAS, the specialty tier changes the patient's cost from a fixed copayment to a coinsurance as a percent of the cost of the drug; and
WHEREAS, a patient may pay a copayment which is increased with each tier but is a fixed amount for medications on the lower tiers of an insurance formulary; and
WHEREAS, the specialty tiers require the patient to pay a coinsurance or percentage (20-30% or more) of the drug cost;
NOW THEREFORE:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend Title 18 of the Delaware Code by adding a new §3761 to read as follows:
"3361. Specialty Tier Prescription Study.
The Delaware Healthcare Commission shall conduct a study for specialty tier prescription drugs to determine the impact on access and patient care. The Delaware Healthcare Commission shall submit a report to the General Assemble summarizing this impact by March 15, 2012."
