Legislation Advances that will Protect Patients from Formulary Changes

Feb 09, 2017 at 03:21 pm by Staff


Fraser Cobbe

Orange County Medical Society

Seminole County Medical Society

One of the most significant considerations for individuals and employers when analyzing health insurance coverage is the suitability and affordability of the drug formulary offered by their plan. It is no surprise the anger that is created when after performing due diligence to ensure the product you are purchasing is designed to meet your needs an insurance company changes the formulary in the middle of the policy year.

Legislation, entitled Consumer Protection from Nonmedical Changes to Prescription Drug Formularies, has been filed in both chambers in Tallahassee that will make sure that changes in drug formularies only occur during the open enrollment period. This will provide consumers with actionable information to make educated choices and provide assurances that they will not be negatively impacted through the duration of their policy year.

The Senate version, SB 182 sponsored by Senator Debbie Mayfield from Melbourne, passed quickly through the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee on February 7th.

The House version of the bill, HB 95, is sponsored by Representative Ralph Massullo, M.D., a Dermatologist from Lecanto, Florida.

Click here to download a copy of the bill and follow the legislation as it moves through the process.