Bill Text: NJ S1073 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Permits pharmacists to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives pursuant to a standing order, in accordance with protocals established by Board of Pharmacy and Board of Medical Examiners; clarifies certain health insurance coverage for contraceptives.*
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-05-02 - Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee [S1073 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-S1073-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Permits pharmacists to prescribe self-administered hormonal contraceptives under certain circumstances; clarifies certain health insurance coverage requirements for contraceptive prescriptions.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning prescriptions for contraceptives, supplementing P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) and amending various parts of the statutory law.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. (New section) a. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a pharmacist may issue a prescription for and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives in accordance with rules and regulations that shall be developed and adopted by the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the State Board of Medical Examiners, and with consideration given to the guidelines established by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
b. The New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to establish standard procedures for the prescribing and dispensing of self-administered hormonal contraceptives by pharmacists. The procedures shall include:
(1) a description of the types of contraceptives that shall be defined to be self-administered hormonal contraceptives;
(2) a requirement that prior to prescribing or dispensing a self-administered hormonal contraceptive, the pharmacist shall complete a training program approved by the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy that is related to prescribing self-administered hormonal contraceptives;
(3) a requirement that in order to receive a self-administered hormonal contraceptive, the patient shall use a self-screening tool that identifies patient risk factors for the use of self-administered hormonal contraceptives, based on the current United States Medical Eligibility Criteria (US MEC) for Contraceptive Use developed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and
(4) a requirement that upon prescribing and dispensing a self-administered hormonal contraceptive, the pharmacist shall refer the patient to the patient's primary care provider or to an appropriate medical clinic.
2. Section 1 of P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17:48-6ee) is amended to read as follows:
1. A hospital service corporation that provides hospital or medical expense benefits for expenses incurred in the purchase of outpatient prescription drugs under a contract shall provide coverage under every such contract delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on or after the effective date of [this act] P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17:48-6ee et al.), for expenses incurred in the purchase of prescription female contraceptives. For the purposes of this section, "prescription female contraceptives" means any drug or device used for contraception by a female, which is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, that can only be purchased in this State with a prescription written by a health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions, and includes, but is not limited to, birth control pills and diaphragms, except that for the purposes of this section, "health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions" shall also include a pharmacist licensed pursuant to the "New Jersey Pharmacy Practice Act," P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) in situations in which the pharmacist is acting pursuant to the authority to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives provided by the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
A religious employer may request, and a hospital service corporation shall grant, exclusion under the contract for the coverage required by this section if the required coverage conflicts with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. A religious employer that obtains such an exclusion shall provide written notice thereof to prospective subscribers and subscribers. The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing a hospital service corporation to exclude coverage for prescription drugs that are prescribed for reasons other than contraceptive purposes or for prescription female contraceptives that are necessary to preserve the life or health of a subscriber. For the purposes of this section, "religious employer" means an employer that is a church, convention or association of churches or an elementary or secondary school that is controlled, operated or principally supported by a church or by a convention or association of churches as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.3121(w)(3)(A), and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3).
The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other outpatient prescription drug under the contract.
This section shall apply to those contracts in which the hospital service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2005, c.251, s.1)
3. Section 2 of P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17:48A-7bb) is amended to read as follows:
2. A medical service corporation that provides hospital or medical expense benefits for expenses incurred in the purchase of outpatient prescription drugs under a contract shall provide coverage under every such contract delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on or after the effective date of [this act] P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17:48-6ee et al.), for expenses incurred in the purchase of prescription female contraceptives. For the purposes of this section, "prescription female contraceptives" means any drug or device used for contraception by a female, which is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, that can only be purchased in this State with a prescription written by a health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions, and includes, but is not limited to, birth control pills and diaphragms, except that for the purposes of this section, "health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions" shall also include a pharmacist licensed pursuant to the "New Jersey Pharmacy Practice Act," P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) in situations in which the pharmacist is acting pursuant to the authority to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives provided by the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
A religious employer may request, and a medical service corporation shall grant, an exclusion under the contract for the coverage required by this section if the required coverage conflicts with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. A religious employer that obtains such an exclusion shall provide written notice thereof to prospective subscribers and subscribers. The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing a medical service corporation to exclude coverage for prescription drugs that are prescribed for reasons other than contraceptive purposes or for prescription female contraceptives that are necessary to preserve the life or health of a subscriber. For the purposes of this section, "religious employer" means an employer that is a church, convention or association of churches or an elementary or secondary school that is controlled, operated or principally supported by a church or by a convention or association of churches as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.3121(w)(3)(A), and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3).
The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other outpatient prescription drug under the contract.
This section shall apply to those contracts in which the medical service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2005, c.251, s.2)
4. Section 3 of P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17:48E-35.29) is amended to read as follows:
3. A health service corporation that provides hospital or medical expense benefits for expenses incurred in the purchase of outpatient prescription drugs under a contract shall provide coverage under every such contract delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on or after the effective date of [this act] P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17:48-6ee et al.), for expenses incurred in the purchase of prescription female contraceptives. For the purposes of this section, "prescription female contraceptives" means any drug or device used for contraception by a female, which is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, that can only be purchased in this State with a prescription written by a health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions, and includes, but is not limited to, birth control pills and diaphragms, except that for the purposes of this section, "health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions" shall also include a pharmacist licensed pursuant to the "New Jersey Pharmacy Practice Act," P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) in situations in which the pharmacist is acting pursuant to the authority to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives provided by the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
A religious employer may request, and a health service corporation shall grant, an exclusion under the contract for the coverage required by this section if the required coverage conflicts with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. A religious employer that obtains such an exclusion shall provide written notice thereof to prospective subscribers and subscribers. The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing a health service corporation to exclude coverage for prescription drugs that are prescribed for reasons other than contraceptive purposes or for prescription female contraceptives that are necessary to preserve the life or health of a subscriber. For the purposes of this section, "religious employer" means an employer that is a church, convention or association of churches or an elementary or secondary school that is controlled, operated or principally supported by a church or by a convention or association of churches as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.3121(w)(3)(A), and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3).
The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other outpatient prescription drug under the contract.
This section shall apply to those contracts in which the health service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2005, c.251, s.3)
5. Section 4 of P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17B:27-46.1ee) is amended to read as follows:
4. A group health insurer that provides hospital or medical expense benefits for expenses incurred in the purchase of outpatient prescription drugs under a policy shall provide coverage under every such policy delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on or after the effective date of [this act] P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17:48-6ee et al.), for expenses incurred in the purchase of prescription female contraceptives. For the purposes of this section, "prescription female contraceptives" means any drug or device used for contraception by a female, which is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, that can only be purchased in this State with a prescription written by a health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions, and includes, but is not limited to, birth control pills and diaphragms, except that for the purposes of this section, "health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions" shall also include a pharmacist licensed pursuant to the "New Jersey Pharmacy Practice Act," P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) in situations in which the pharmacist is acting pursuant to the authority to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives provided by the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
A religious employer may request, and an insurer shall grant, an exclusion under the policy for the coverage required by this section if the required coverage conflicts with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. A religious employer that obtains such an exclusion shall provide written notice thereof to prospective insureds and insureds. The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing an insurer to exclude coverage for prescription drugs that are prescribed for reasons other than contraceptive purposes or for prescription female contraceptives that are necessary to preserve the life or health of an insured. For the purposes of this section, "religious employer" means an employer that is a church, convention or association of churches or an elementary or secondary school that is controlled, operated or principally supported by a church or by a convention or association of churches as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.3121(w)(3)(A), and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3).
The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other outpatient prescription drug under the policy.
This section shall apply to those policies in which the insurer has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2005, c.251, s.4)
6. Section 5 of P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17B:26-2.1y) is amended to read as follows:
5. An individual health insurer that provides hospital or medical expense benefits for expenses incurred in the purchase of outpatient prescription drugs under a policy shall provide coverage under every such policy delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on or after the effective date of [this act] P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17:48-6ee et al.), for expenses incurred in the purchase of prescription female contraceptives. For the purposes of this section, "prescription female contraceptives" means any drug or device used for contraception by a female, which is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, that can only be purchased in this State with a prescription written by a health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions, and includes, but is not limited to, birth control pills and diaphragms, except that for the purposes of this section, "health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions" shall also include a pharmacist licensed pursuant to the "New Jersey Pharmacy Practice Act," P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) in situations in which the pharmacist is acting pursuant to the authority to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives provided by the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
A religious employer may request, and an insurer shall grant, an exclusion under the policy for the coverage required by this section if the required coverage conflicts with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. A religious employer that obtains such an exclusion shall provide written notice thereof to prospective insureds and insureds. The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing an insurer to exclude coverage for prescription drugs that are prescribed for reasons other than contraceptive purposes or for prescription female contraceptives that are necessary to preserve the life or health of an insured. For the purposes of this section, "religious employer" means an employer that is a church, convention or association of churches or an elementary or secondary school that is controlled, operated or principally supported by a church or by a convention or association of churches as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.3121(w)(3)(A), and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3).
The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other outpatient prescription drug under the policy.
This section shall apply to those policies in which the insurer has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2005, c.251, s.5)
7. Section 6 of P.L.2005, c.251 (C.26:2J-4.30) is amended to read as follows:
6. A certificate of authority to establish and operate a health maintenance organization in this State shall not be issued or continued on or after the effective date of [this act] P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17:48-6ee et al.), for a health maintenance organization that provides health care services for outpatient prescription drugs under a contract, unless the health maintenance organization also provides health care services for prescription female contraceptives. For the purposes of this section, "prescription female contraceptives" means any drug or device used for contraception by a female, which is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, that can only be purchased in this State with a prescription written by a health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions, and includes, but is not limited to, birth control pills and diaphragms, except that for the purposes of this section, "health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions" shall also include a pharmacist licensed pursuant to the "New Jersey Pharmacy Practice Act," P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) in situations in which the pharmacist is acting pursuant to the authority to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives provided by the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
A religious employer may request, and a health maintenance organization shall grant, an exclusion under the contract for the health care services required by this section if the required health care services conflict with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. A religious employer that obtains such an exclusion shall provide written notice thereof to prospective enrollees and enrollees. The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing a health maintenance organization to exclude health care services for prescription drugs that are prescribed for reasons other than contraceptive purposes or for prescription female contraceptives that are necessary to preserve the life or health of an enrollee. For the purposes of this section, "religious employer" means an employer that is a church, convention or association of churches or an elementary or secondary school that is controlled, operated or principally supported by a church or by a convention or association of churches as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.3121(w)(3)(A), and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3).
The health care services shall be provided to the same extent as for any other outpatient prescription drug under the contract.
The provisions of this section shall apply to those contracts for health care services by health maintenance organizations under which the right to change the schedule of charges for enrollee coverage is reserved.
(cf: P.L.2005, c.251, s.6)
8. Section 7 of P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17B:27A-7.12) is amended to read as follows:
7. An individual health benefits plan required pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-4) that provides benefits for expenses incurred in the purchase of outpatient prescription drugs shall provide coverage for expenses incurred in the purchase of prescription female contraceptives. For the purposes of this section, "prescription female contraceptives" means any drug or device used for contraception by a female, which is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, that can only be purchased in this State with a prescription written by a health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions, and includes, but is not limited to, birth control pills and diaphragms, except that for the purposes of this section, "health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions" shall also include a pharmacist licensed pursuant to the "New Jersey Pharmacy Practice Act," P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) in situations in which the pharmacist is acting pursuant to the authority to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives provided by the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
A religious employer may request, and a carrier shall grant, an exclusion under the health benefits plan for the coverage required by this section if the required coverage conflicts with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. A religious employer that obtains such an exclusion shall provide written notice thereof to prospective covered persons and covered persons. The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing a carrier to exclude coverage for prescription drugs that are prescribed for reasons other than contraceptive purposes or for prescription female contraceptives that are necessary to preserve the life or health of a covered person. For the purposes of this section, "religious employer" means an employer that is a church, convention or association of churches or an elementary or secondary school that is controlled, operated or principally supported by a church or by a convention or association of churches as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.3121(w)(3)(A), and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3).
The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other outpatient prescription drug under the health benefits plan.
This section shall apply to all individual health benefits plans in which the carrier has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2005, c.251, s.7)
9. Section 8 of P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17B:27A-19.15) is amended to read as follows:
8. A small employer health benefits plan required pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-19) that provides benefits for expenses incurred in the purchase of outpatient prescription drugs shall provide coverage for expenses incurred in the purchase of prescription female contraceptives. For the purposes of this section, "prescription female contraceptives" means any drug or device used for contraception by a female, which is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, that can only be purchased in this State with a prescription written by a health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions, and includes, but is not limited to, birth control pills and diaphragms, except that for the purposes of this section, "health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions" shall also include a pharmacist licensed pursuant to the "New Jersey Pharmacy Practice Act," P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) in situations in which the pharmacist is acting pursuant to the authority to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives provided by the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
A religious employer may request, and a carrier shall grant, an exclusion under the health benefits plan for the coverage required by this section if the required coverage conflicts with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. A religious employer that obtains such an exclusion shall provide written notice thereof to prospective covered persons and covered persons. The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing a carrier to exclude coverage for prescription drugs that are prescribed for reasons other than contraceptive purposes or for prescription female contraceptives that are necessary to preserve the life or health of a covered person. For the purposes of this section, "religious employer" means an employer that is a church, convention or association of churches or an elementary or secondary school that is controlled, operated or principally supported by a church or by a convention or association of churches as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.3121(w)(3)(A), and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3).
The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other outpatient prescription drug under the health benefits plan.
This section shall apply to all small employer health benefits plans in which the carrier has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2005, c.251, s.8)
10. Section 9 of P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17:48F-13.2) is amended to read as follows:
9. A prepaid prescription service organization that provides benefits for expenses incurred in the purchase of outpatient prescription drugs under a contract shall provide coverage under every such contract delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on or after the effective date of [this act] P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17:48-6ee et al.), for expenses incurred in the purchase of prescription female contraceptives. For the purposes of this section, "prescription female contraceptives" means any drug or device used for contraception by a female, which is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, that can only be purchased in this State with a prescription written by a health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions, and includes, but is not limited to, birth control pills and diaphragms, except that for the purposes of this section, "health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions" shall also include a pharmacist licensed pursuant to the "New Jersey Pharmacy Practice Act," P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) in situations in which the pharmacist is acting pursuant to the authority to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives provided by the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
A religious employer may request, and a prepaid prescription service organization shall grant, an exclusion under the contract for the coverage required by this section if the required coverage conflicts with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. A religious employer that obtains such an exclusion shall provide written notice thereof to prospective enrollees and enrollees. The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing a prepaid prescription service organization to exclude coverage for prescription drugs that are prescribed for reasons other than contraceptive purposes or for prescription female contraceptives that are necessary to preserve the life or health of an enrollee. For the purposes of this section, "religious employer" means an employer that is a church, convention or association of churches or an elementary or secondary school that is controlled, operated or principally supported by a church or by a convention or association of churches as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.3121(w)(3)(A), and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C.s.501(c)(3).
The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other outpatient prescription drug under the contract.
This section shall apply to those prepaid prescription contracts in which the prepaid prescription service organization has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2005, c.251, s.9)
11. Section 10 of P.L.2005, c.251 (C.52:14-17.29j) is amended to read as follows:
10. The State Health Benefits Commission shall ensure that every contract purchased by the commission on or after the effective date of [this act] P.L.2005, c.251 (C.17:48-6ee et al.) that provides benefits for expenses incurred in the purchase of outpatient prescription drugs shall provide benefits for expenses incurred in the purchase of prescription female contraceptives.
For the purposes of this section, "prescription female contraceptives" means any drug or device used for contraception by a female, which is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, that can only be purchased in this State with a prescription written by a health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions, and includes, but is not limited to, birth control pills and diaphragms, except that for the purposes of this section, "health care professional licensed or authorized to write prescriptions" shall also include a pharmacist licensed pursuant to the "New Jersey Pharmacy Practice Act," P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) in situations in which the pharmacist is acting pursuant to the authority to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives provided by the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
(cf: P.L.2005, c.251, s.10)
12. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill supplements the "New Jersey Pharmacy Practice Act," P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) to allow pharmacists to issue prescriptions for and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives in accordance with rules and regulations that the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy will adopt in consultation with the State Board of Medical Examiners, and with consideration given to the guidelines established by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
The bill requires the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to establish standard procedures for the prescribing and dispensing of self-administered hormonal contraceptives by pharmacists. The procedures must include:
(1) a description of the types of contraceptives that will be defined as self-administered hormonal contraceptives;
(2) a requirement that prior to prescribing or dispensing a self-administered hormonal contraceptive, the pharmacist must complete a training program approved by the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy that is related to prescribing self-administered hormonal contraceptives;
(3) a requirement that in order to receive a self-administered hormonal contraceptive, the patient must use a self-screening tool that identifies patient risk factors for the use of self-administered hormonal contraceptives, based on the current United States Medical Eligibility Criteria (US MEC) for Contraceptive Use developed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and
(4) a requirement that upon prescribing and dispensing a self-administered hormonal contraceptive, the pharmacist must refer the patient to the patient's primary care provider or to an appropriate medical clinic.
The bill also amends various statutes to clarify that, in addition to providing coverage for prescriptions issued by other health care professionals, health insurance carriers that provide benefits for prescription female contraceptives must provide coverage for prescriptions for self-administered hormonal contraceptives in situations in which the prescription is issued by a pharmacist acting pursuant to the authority provided by section 1 of the bill. These clarifying amendments apply to hospital, medical, and health service corporations, commercial, individual, small employer and group health insurers, health maintenance organizations, prepaid prescription organizations, and the State Health Benefits Program.
