An Act Relating to Health Benefit Plan Coverage of Chemotherapy
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 24-A MRSA §4316 is enacted to read:
§ 4316. Access to orally administered cancer medications
1. Coverage of approved drugs. A carrier that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy shall provide coverage for a prescribed orally administered cancer medication used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis no less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications that are covered benefits.
2. Application. The requirements of this section apply to all individual and group policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State. For purposes of this section, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.
summary
This bill requires that, if a carrier provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy, the carrier shall provide coverage for a prescribed orally administered cancer medication on a basis no less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications that are covered benefits.