The bill establishes a mandate for the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) to create and maintain an emergency stockpile of insulin, which must include the ten most commonly used brands and types. This stockpile aims to address the urgent needs of residents who may run out of insulin before their next prescription is filled. The DOH is tasked with assessing the necessary quantity of insulin based on factors such as supply chain conditions and potential surges in demand. Additionally, the bill allows pharmacists to dispense a 30-day emergency supply of insulin under specific conditions, including having a record of a previous prescription. The DOH will also develop a program to provide emergency insulin at cost to individuals in need, with provisions for reimbursement from health plans.

Moreover, the bill amends health insurance regulations to require coverage for one emergency 30-day supply of insulin, ensuring that this coverage is not subject to deductibles and limits copayments to a maximum of $35. It emphasizes the importance of diabetes self-management education and mandates that health insurers, including Medicaid, cover emergency insulin supplies at least once every 12 months. The bill also includes provisions for reporting the dispensing of emergency insulin to a prescription monitoring database, ensuring compliance and preventing misuse. Overall, the legislation aims to improve access to essential diabetes care and management resources for New Jersey residents.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 17:48-6, 17:48A-7, 17:48E-35.11, 17B:26-2.1, 17B:27-46.1, 26:2J-4.11, 30:4D-6, 45:1-45, 45:1-46, 52:14-17.29, 52:14-17.46.6