SB 142 Summary

• Health care insurers in Alaska cannot require higher copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance for patient-administered anti-cancer medications (oral or self-injected) compared to those injected or intravenously administered by providers, regardless of formulation or benefit category.

• Insurers cannot offset compliance costs by increasing cost-sharing for provider-administered anti-cancer medications or reclassifying anti-cancer medication benefits.

• Health care plans may still require different cost-sharing rates for in-network versus out-of-network providers or pharmacies.

• "Anti-cancer medication" is defined as a drug or biologic used to kill cancerous cells, slow or prevent cancer cell growth, or treat related side effects.

• The law applies to health insurance policies offered, issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2017, and does not apply to fraternal benefit societies.