Legislation to Protect Coloradans’ Access to Prescription Drugs Clears Senate

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, that would protect Coloradans’ access to critical provider-administered prescription drugs by breaking down unnecessary barriers, including added fees, that make it difficult for patients to access their life-saving medication, cleared the Senate today.

“Countless Coloradans depend on lifesaving medications to live their best lives, but too often they are required to order drugs through specific pharmacies, a practice called white-bagging which makes the process more expensive and time-consuming,” said Michaelson Jenet. “This bill will prohibit the mandating of white-bagging, which will help make sure Coloradans are able to access the critical medication they need when they need it, saving them both time and money.”

HB24-1010 would also:

• Prohibit insurance carriers from requiring certain prescription drugs to be available only by specific pharmacies, or only at in-network pharmacies;

• Prevent insurance carriers from limiting or excluding provider-administered prescription drugs due to the patient’s choice of preferred pharmacy; or

• Prohibit insurance carriers from imposing additional fees, copayments, or coinsurances due to the patient’s choice of preferred pharmacy or if the provider-administered drug was not provided by a pharmacy in the carrier’s network.

HB24-1010 will now move back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE.