This bill seeks to improve the insulin safety net program in Minnesota by defining "covered insulin" as a drug prescribed for diabetes treatment and establishing a manufacturer registration fee. It modifies eligibility criteria for individuals needing urgent access to insulin, outlines the responsibilities of manufacturers, and clarifies the roles of the Board of Pharmacy and MNsure in facilitating access. Key provisions include the requirement for manufacturers to offer patient assistance programs for eligible individuals and the introduction of a streamlined process for accessing urgent-need insulin, which allows individuals awaiting eligibility determinations to obtain a 30-day supply of covered insulin.

Additionally, the bill establishes penalties for manufacturers who do not comply with program requirements, including a tiered administrative penalty structure, and mandates that these penalties be deposited into an insulin assistance account. It requires manufacturers to report data on residents accessing urgent-need insulin and participating in assistance programs, and it calls for a program review by the legislative auditor to evaluate compliance and training adequacy for navigators. The bill also repeals a previous subdivision related to program satisfaction surveys, further streamlining oversight and enhancing access to affordable insulin for those in urgent need.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 151.74, 13.381, 151.741