H.B. 684
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Apr 18, 2023
SESSION 2023 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH40386-NE-109
Short Title: Prescription Eye Drop Early Refill Coverage. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative K. Baker.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO REQUIRE HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS THAT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR
3 PRESCRIPTION EYE DROPS TO ALSO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR EARLY
4 REFILLS.
5 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
6 SECTION 1. Article 3 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding
7 a new section to read:
8 "§ 58-3-295. Coverage for early refills of prescription eye drops.
9 Every health benefit plan offered by an insurer in this State that provides coverage for
10 prescription eye drops shall not deny coverage for a refill of an eye drop prescription if both of
11 the following conditions apply:
12 (1) For a 30-day supply, the patient requested the refill after either of the
13 following:
14 a. The passage of an amount of time after which a patient should have
15 used seventy percent (70%) of the dosage units of the drug according
16 to a health care provider's instructions.
17 b. Twenty-one days after either (i) the original date the prescription was
18 distributed to the insured or (ii) the date the most recent refill was
19 distributed to the insured.
20 (2) The prescribing health care provider indicates on the original prescription that
21 additional quantities are needed, and the refill requested by the insured does
22 not exceed the number of additional quantities needed."
23 SECTION 2. This act becomes effective October 1, 2023, and applies to contracts
24 issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.
*DRH40386-NE-109*