PARSIPPANY — With the governor’s signature, a bill (A2431) sponsored by Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, capping out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs was signed into law.
“Many people with high-cost-sharing plans don’t take vital medications prescribed by their doctors because they can’t afford their co-pays,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “The result is poor health outcomes and increased long term costs for chronically ill patients. Capping out-of-pocket payments will reduce health care costs in the long run.”
The law limits a patient’s share to $150.00 or $250.00 a month depending on the health-benefit plan level.
A study commissioned by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society found a connection between high-deductible plans and lower medication use and adherence, leading to poor outcomes and an increase in the cost of care.
Similar measures have passed in Delaware, Maryland, Louisiana, California and the District of Columbia. Maine and Vermont have limits on the annual out-of-pocket costs to consumers, and Virginia and five other states require insurance companies to provide notice to consumers of cost-sharing tiers and all changes to the plans.
