HARRISBURG – Legislation that will reduce the waiting time for Pennsylvanians to get refills of their prescription eyedrops has been signed into law, said bill sponsor Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41).
“When people self-administer eye drops, a certain amount goes unused due to spills or other factors,” said Pittman. “Currently in Pennsylvania, when a person runs out of their prescription eye drops prior to the expiration of the intended period of use and returns to their pharmacist seeking a refill, coverage may be denied. As a result, they are unable to refill their eye drops when needed. This causes people to either ration the remaining medication or go without.”
Senate Bill 1201 requires health insurance policies issued or renewed in Pennsylvania to provide coverage for prescription eye drop refills at 70% of the prescribed duration. Early refills shall be covered at 21 days for a 30-day supply, 42 days for a 60-day supply, and 63 days for a 90-day supply. The eye drops must be prescribed by a health care practitioner and be a covered benefit, and the number of refills may not exceed the number indicated on the original prescription.
“With the enactment of this legislation, Pennsylvania will join 29 other states who have passed similar measures to follow guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that seeks to ensure patients can refill their eyedrops as soon as they need them refilled,” Pittman said.
Contact: Jeremy Dias jdias@pasen.gov