Bill

HB 2505

84(R) - 2015
House Insurance
House Insurance
Insurance

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Negative
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Travis Clardy

Bill Caption

Relating to health benefit plan coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.


Bill Analysis

The legislation would add subchapter to Chapter 1369 of the Insurance Code by requiring a health benefit plan to provide coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs. The subchapter would apply to a small employer health benefit plan and consumer choice of benefits plan under Chapter 1501 and 1507, respectively. The bill would exempt specific health benefit plans.

The bill would prohibit a health benefit plan issuer from reducing or limiting a payment to a health care professional, or otherwise penalize the professional, because the professional prescribes or dispenses an abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug. The bill specifies nothing in Section 1369.354 could be construed to authorize a health care professional to dispense a drug.

The bill states that a qualified health plan as defined by federal regulations, to the extent that providing coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs would otherwise require the state to make a payment under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, would not be required to provide a benefit for the drugs that exceeds the specified essential health benefits required under that act.

The bill would allow a health benefit plan to require prior authorization for an abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug if the health benefit plan requires prior authorization for versions of the opioid analgesic drug that do not have abuse-deterrent properties.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This legislation represents yet another example of the government interfering with private businesses. The high cost of health care and health insurance is partly the result of government interference in the form of mandates. Every time the government tinkers with the system to take choices away from providers and patients, costs tend to rise.

Creating new state mandates on private enterprise abridges our limited government and free market principles. Therefore, we oppose HB 2505.

It is worth noting that Texas has one of the highest rates of insurance mandates of all the states. 

Organizations Opposed

Texas Association of Business