HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3176        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3487

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael J. Finn

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to prescription drug dispensing schedules.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3176        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3487

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

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An Act relative to prescription drug dispensing schedules.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 17O, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-

Section 17P. For the purposes of this section, “prescription medication synchronization” shall mean dispensing all medication prescribed to a patient on the same schedule to ensure the patient receives all prescription medications simultaneously. 

Any coverage offered by the commission to an active or retired employee of the commonwealth insured under the group insurance commission shall provide coverage for prescription medication synchronization at the election of the patient, prescribing provider, or pharmacist, including, but not limited to providing coverage for dispensing a partial prescription; provided, however, that a dispensing fee for a partial prescription provided to the patient in the course of prescription medication synchronization shall not be prorated and shall be paid in full.   

SECTION 2. Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10J, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-

Section 10K. For the purposes of this section, “prescription medication synchronization” shall mean dispensing all medication prescribed to a patient on the same schedule to ensure the patient receives all prescription medications simultaneously.  

The division shall provide coverage for prescription medication synchronization at the election of the patient, prescribing provider, or pharmacist, including, but not limited to providing coverage for dispensing a partial prescription; provided, however, that a dispensing fee for a partial prescription provided to the patient in the course of prescription medication synchronization shall not be prorated and shall be paid in full.   

SECTION 3.  Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 47II, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:- 

Section 47JJ.  For the purposes of this section, “prescription medication synchronization” shall mean dispensing all medication prescribed to a patient on the same schedule to ensure the patient receives all prescription medications simultaneously.  

A policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance issued, delivered or renewed within the commonwealth that provides medical expense coverage shall provide coverage for prescription medication synchronization at the election of the patient, prescribing provider, or pharmacist, including, but not limited to providing coverage for dispensing a partial prescription; provided, however, that a dispensing fee for a partial prescription provided to the patient in the course of prescription medication synchronization shall not be prorated and shall be paid in full.   

SECTION 4.  Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 8KK, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:- 

Section 8LL.  For the purposes of this section, “prescription medication synchronization” shall mean dispensing all medication prescribed to a patient on the same schedule to ensure the patient receives all prescription medications simultaneously.  

A contract between a subscriber and the corporation under an individual or group hospital service plan that is delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for prescription medication synchronization at the election of the patient, prescribing provider, or pharmacist, including, but not limited to providing coverage for dispensing a partial prescription; provided, however, that a dispensing fee for a partial prescription provided to the patient in the course of prescription medication synchronization shall not be prorated and shall be paid in full.   

SECTION 5.  Chapter 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4KK, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-  

Section 4LL.  For the purposes of this section, “prescription medication synchronization” shall mean dispensing all medication prescribed to a patient on the same schedule to ensure the patient receives all prescription medications simultaneously.  

A subscription certificate under an individual or group medical service agreement delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for prescription medication synchronization at the election of the patient, prescribing provider, or pharmacist, including, but not limited to providing coverage for dispensing a partial prescription; provided, however, that a dispensing fee for a partial prescription provided to the patient in the course of prescription medication synchronization shall not be prorated and shall be paid in full.   

SECTION 6. Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4CC, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-  

Section 4DD.  For the purposes of this section, “prescription medication synchronization” shall mean dispensing all medication prescribed to a patient on the same schedule to ensure the patient receives all prescription medications simultaneously.  

An individual or group health maintenance contract shall provide coverage for prescription medication synchronization at the election of the patient, prescribing provider, or pharmacist, including, but not limited to providing coverage for dispensing a partial prescription; provided, however, that a dispensing fee for a partial prescription provided to the patient in the course of prescription medication synchronization shall not be prorated and shall be paid in full.