Today's Law As Amended


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AB-2863 Health care coverage: prescriptions.(2017-2018)



As Amends the Law Today


SECTION 1.

 Section 4079 is added to the Business and Professions Code, immediately following Section 4078, to read:

4079.
 (a) A pharmacy shall inform a customer at the point of sale for a covered prescription drug whether the retail price is lower than the applicable cost-sharing amount for the prescription drug, unless the pharmacy automatically charges the customer the lower price.
(b) If the customer pays the retail price, the pharmacy shall submit the claim to the health care service plan or health insurer in the same manner as if the customer had purchased the prescription drug by paying the cost-sharing amount when submitted by the network pharmacy.
(c) The payment rendered shall constitute the applicable cost sharing and shall apply to the deductible, if any, and also to the maximum out-of-pocket limit in the same manner as if the enrollee had purchased the prescription drug by paying the cost-sharing amount.
(d) A contract provision that is inconsistent with this section is void and unenforceable.
(e) The provisions of this section are severable. If any provision of this section or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
(f) A violation of this provision shall not be grounds for disciplinary action or a criminal action.

SEC. 2.

 Section 1367.47 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:

1367.47.
 (a) The maximum amount a health care service plan may require an enrollee to pay at the point of sale for a covered prescription drug is the lesser of the following:
(1) The applicable cost-sharing amount for the prescription drug.
(2) The retail price.
(b) A health care service plan shall not require a pharmacist or pharmacy to charge or collect from an enrollee a cost-sharing amount that exceeds the total retail price for the prescription drug.
(c) The payment rendered shall constitute the applicable cost sharing and shall apply to the deductible, if any, and also to the maximum out-of-pocket limit in the same manner as if the enrollee had purchased the prescription drug by paying the cost-sharing amount.

SEC. 3.

 Section 10123.65 is added to the Insurance Code, to read:

10123.65.
 (a) The maximum amount a health insurer may require an insured to pay at the point of sale for a covered prescription drug is the lesser of the following:
(1) The applicable cost-sharing amount for the prescription drug.
(2) The retail price.
(b) A health insurer shall not require a pharmacist or pharmacy to charge or collect from an insured a cost-sharing amount that exceeds the total retail price for the prescription drug.
(c) The payment rendered shall constitute the applicable cost sharing and shall apply to the deductible, if any, and also to the maximum out-of-pocket limit in the same manner as if the insured had purchased the prescription drug by paying the cost-sharing amount.
SEC. 4.
 No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.