HB 480 – NC Cancer Treatment Fairness

Primary Sponsors: Rep. Lee Zachary (R-Forsyth), Rep. David Lewis (R-Harnett), Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth)

Bill Summary

This bill states that every health benefit plan offered by an insurer that provides coverage for prescribed orally administered anticancer drugs that are used to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells and that provides coverage for intravenously administered or injected anticancer drugs shall provide coverage for the prescribed orally administered or injected anticancer drugs.

The bill states that orally administered anticancer drugs shall not be subject to any prior authorization, copayment, coinsurance, or deductible provision or to any other out of pocket expense that does not apply to intravenously administered or injected anticancer drugs.

The bill states that a policy, contract, or provider shall not achieve compliance with this section by reclassifying anticancer  drugs or by increasing patient cost sharing, including coinsurance, copayment, deductible, or other out of pocket expenses imposed on anticancer drugs.

 

Bill Movement

This bill was filed on March 27, 2019.

This bill was referred to the following House Committees:

  • Health – calendared for April 9, but removed from the calendar
    • Passed April 16, 2019
  • Rules
    • Rep. Hardister introduced an amendment sets a $300 limit on the deductible for oral cancer therapy treatment. This amendment failed in committee.
    • The bill passed in committee on May 6, 2019.
  • House Floor
    • This bill passed with a vote of 97-18 on May 6, 2019.