04/09/2013 05:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE

          HB 125-TOPICAL EYE MEDS PRESCRIPTION REFILLS                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
5:52:44 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNLEAVY  announced the  consideration of  HB 125.  "An Act                                                               
prohibiting a  health care insurer  from denying coverage  for an                                                               
additional   limited  quantity   of   prescription  topical   eye                                                               
medication under  certain circumstances."  [CSHB 125(L&C)  AM was                                                               
before the committee.]                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  LINDSEY HOLMES,  sponsor of  HB 125,  stated that                                                               
this bill is a consumer protection  bill that came at the impetus                                                               
of people  who are suffering  from glaucoma. It allows  people to                                                               
refill  a little  early those  prescription eye  medications that                                                               
are covered by insurance. The  bill includes precautions. It does                                                               
not allow  a refill  beyond the number  of refills  prescribed by                                                               
the doctor  and it only  allows refills  a couple of  days early.                                                               
She  said the  bill has  support from  both ophthalmologists  and                                                               
optometrists and it has amendments that were incorporated on                                                                    
behalf of the insurance companies.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR DUNLEAVY found no questions or public testimony.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
5:54:48 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
5:54:55 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNLEAVY reconvened the meeting and stated that he would                                                                  
hold HB 125 in committee and keep public testimony open.