HB86 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ron Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Insurance, health benefit plans prohibited from charging higher copayment or deductible for orally administered and self administered anticancer drugs than for intravenous

Summary

The bill would require health plans to charge the same cost-sharing for oral or self-administered anticancer drugs as for intravenous anticancer drugs.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, state-regulated health benefit plans could not require higher copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance for patient-administered anticancer medications (oral or self-administered) than for anticancer meds injected or given intravenously by a provider. It also prevents plans from avoiding the rule by increasing IV drug copays or by reclassifying anticancer benefits. The bill defines key terms and states that plans issued or delivered in Alabama (even if domiciled outside the state) are covered. It would take effect on the first day of the third month after it becomes law.

Who It Affects

• Patients with cancer who use oral or self-administered anticancer medications under Alabama health plans would not pay more in cost sharing than patients using intravenous or provider-administered anticancer meds.
• Health benefit plans and insurers operating in Alabama would need to align cost-sharing for anticancer drugs and could not increase IV drug copays or reclassify benefits to avoid the rule.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits health benefit plans from charging higher copayment, deductible, or coinsurance for patient-administered anticancer medications than for anticancer medications injected or intravenously administered, regardless of formulation or benefit category.
• Prohibits plans from circumventing the rule by increasing the copayment for intravenously administered anticancer medications or by reclassifying anticancer benefits.
• Provides definitions for anticancer medication and health benefit plan and clarifies applicability to plans issued or delivered in Alabama (including plans domiciled outside Alabama).
• Sets the effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health