HB 2471, which prohibits insurance companies from placing oral anticancer medications on a specialty tier, was passed by the Pennsylvania House, Oct 6, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).
He says the bill also prohibits charging a co-insurance payment for the medication.
The vote was 195-1 with John D McGinnis (R-79) being the dissenter.
The bill is now before the Senate.
“With more than 80,000 Pennsylvanians estimated to be diagnosed with cancer this year, this legislation would have a tremendous impact on the lives of many Commonwealth residents” said Cox. “As it currently stands, intravenous anticancer medications are typically covered under a health plan’s medical benefit, often only requiring patients to pay a minimal fixed co-payment; however, orally administered anticancer medications are covered under a health plan’s pharmacy benefit and require patients to pay a percentage of the total cost of the drug, generally between 25 percent and 30 percent. This significantly increases the out-of-pocket costs to obtain treatment for patients.”
