Jones Bill Ends Prior Approval For HIV Prevention Drugs

The text as introduced · 613 words

90R2925 DNC-D

By: Jones of Dallas
H.B. No. 652

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prior authorization for prescription drug benefits

related to the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus

infections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 1369, Insurance Code, is amended by

adding Subchapter P to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER P. COVERAGE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR PREVENTING HUMAN

IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION

Sec. 1369.751. DEFINITION. In this subchapter,

"prescription drug" has the meaning assigned by Section 551.003,

Occupations Code.

Sec. 1369.752. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. (a) This

subchapter applies only to a health benefit plan that provides

benefits for medical, surgical, or prescription drug expenses

incurred as a result of a health condition, accident, or sickness,

including an individual, group, blanket, or franchise insurance

policy or insurance agreement, a group hospital service contract,

or an individual or group evidence of coverage or similar coverage

document that is issued by:

(1) an insurance company;

(2) a group hospital service corporation operating

under Chapter 842;

(3) a health maintenance organization operating under

Chapter 843;

(4) an approved nonprofit health corporation that

holds a certificate of authority under Chapter 844;

(5) a multiple employer welfare arrangement that holds

a certificate of authority under Chapter 846;

(6) a stipulated premium company operating under

Chapter 884;

(7) a fraternal benefit society operating under

Chapter 885;

(8) a Lloyd's plan operating under Chapter 941; or

(9) an exchange operating under Chapter 942.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, this subchapter applies

to:

(1) a small employer health benefit plan subject to

Chapter 1501, including coverage provided through a health group

cooperative under Subchapter B of that chapter;

(2) a standard health benefit plan issued under

Chapter 1507;

(3) a basic coverage plan under Chapter 1551;

(4) a basic plan under Chapter 1575;

(5) a primary care coverage plan under Chapter 1579;

(6) a plan providing basic coverage under Chapter

1601;

(7) the state Medicaid program, including the Medicaid

managed care program operated under Chapter 540, Government Code;

(8) the child health plan program under Chapter 62,

Health and Safety Code;

(9) a self-funded health benefit plan sponsored by a

professional employer organization under Chapter 91, Labor Code;

(10) county employee group health benefits provided

under Chapter 157, Local Government Code; and

(11) health and accident coverage provided by a risk

pool created under Chapter 172, Local Government Code.

(c) This subchapter applies to coverage under a group health

benefit plan provided to a resident of this state regardless of

whether the group policy, agreement, or contract is delivered,

issued for delivery, or renewed in this state.

Sec. 1369.753. EXCEPTION. This subchapter does not apply

to an individual health benefit plan issued on or before March 23,

2010, that has not had any significant changes since that date that

reduce benefits or increase costs to the individual.

Sec. 1369.754. PROHIBITION ON PRIOR AUTHORIZATION. A

health benefit plan issuer that provides prescription drug benefits

may not require an enrollee to receive a prior authorization of the

prescription drug benefit for a prescription drug prescribed to

prevent human immunodeficiency virus infection.

SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act

a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a

federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,

the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or

authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the

waiver or authorization is granted.

SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

a health benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on

or after January 1, 2028.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.