March 1, 2017
The Alaska State Legislature passed Senate Bill 142 that requires member cost shares for patient-administered anti-cancer medications to be no higher than those for drugs administered by a healthcare provider, effective Jan. 1, 2017.
Currently, anti-cancer medications that are orally administered or self-injected by the patient are categorized under Premera's pharmacy benefit. Starting on January 1, 2017 as groups renew, these self-administered medications will apply to medical deductible and coinsurance, similar to those administered by providers.
Depending on benefit plan designs, your patients may pay more for the anti-cancer medications at the beginning of the plan year. However, once the out-of-pocket maximum is reached, the medications will be covered in full for the remainder of the plan year.