Enacts GS 58-3-266 prohibiting all health benefit plans offered by insurers in the state that provide prescription eye drop coverage from denying coverage for a refill of an eye drop prescription if both of the following conditions are met: (1) a patient requests a 30-day refill after the time the patient should have used 70% of the dosage units or 21 days after the original prescription distribution date or the date the most recent refill was distributed; and (2) the refill request would not exceed any limit on the number of refills for that prescription as indicated by the prescribing healthcare provider on the original prescription. Effective October 1, 2025, and applies to contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.
Makes conforming changes to GS 135-48.51 by making GS 58-3-266 applicable to the State Health Plan. Effective as of the start of the next plan year following October 1, 2025.
Appropriates $100,000 in recurring funds for each year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium from the General Fund to the Department of State Treasurer, to be used to provide coverage required under amended GS 135-48.51. Effective July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Filed: 135-48.51