2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes
Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics
Section 26:2S-37 - Insurance plans to cover prescription refills during state of emergency.
26:2S-37 Insurance plans to cover prescription refills during state of emergency.
2. a. Subject to subsection b. of this section and to the extent consistent with clinical guidelines, the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance shall require carriers to provide coverage of prescription drug refills even when the covered person has not yet reached the scheduled refill date, provided that the prescription itself would remain valid beyond the refill date and the member will be eligible beyond the refill date, in a manner calculated to ensure a subscriber's ability to maintain at least a 30-day supply, or a 90-day supply of a maintenance medication supply at home but not to exceed a 120-day supply on-hand at any given time. The coverage shall be provided based on the authorization for the most recently filled prescription and additional authorization for the refill shall not be required.
b. The provisions of this section shall be in effect if:
(1) a state of emergency or public health emergency is declared by the State or federal government, or an emergency supply of a drug is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and
(2) the commissioner determines that an emergency supply of prescription drugs is necessary.
c. The coverage shall be provided on an in-network basis to the same extent as for any other refills of prescription drugs under the health benefits plan, except that:
(1) in the event of a drug shortage or access issue identified by the commissioner or the Division of Consumer Affairs, the carrier shall provide formulary flexibility for a covered alternative. The cost-sharing for any non-preferred medication shall not exceed the cost-sharing that would be imposed for the preferred medication that is unavailable due to the shortage or access issue; and
(2) no fees shall be imposed for home delivery of the drugs.
d. The Division of Consumer Affairs, in consultation with the commissioner, may develop restrictions on the filling or refilling of prescriptions by pharmacists to address shortage concerns, provided those restrictions shall exclude restricting use for existing conditions to the maximum extent practicable.
e. As used in this section, "carrier" means an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, or health maintenance organization authorized to issue health benefits plans in this State, and shall include the State Health Benefits Program and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program.
L.2020, c.30, s.2.
