|
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the Healthcare Protection Act (HPA)
includes a package of measures designed to restrict methods that
insurance companies use to reduce the amount of health care
patients receive.
“For thousands of Illinoisans, the reforms in this bill will
mean the difference between suffering with curable health
conditions and getting the care that they need in a timely
manner, and for some, this bill will quite literally save their
lives,” Pritzker said.
Among other things, the law bars the use of a restriction known
as “step therapy” that requires a patient to try and fail on
treatments preferred by the insurance company before they can
access the treatment recommended by their doctor.
HPA also prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization
before a patient can receive emergency treatment at a
psychiatric facility.
“Illinois, by the way, is once again a pioneer, the first state
in the nation to do this for adults and children,” said Pritzker.
The HPA also ends unchecked rate increases for large group
insurance companies.
Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said from now on in
Illinois, the focus will be on the patient.
“Somewhere along the line, priorities got out of whack,” said
Harmon. “Instead of helping patients find the best care for
their individual needs, the focus too often shifted to
maximizing profits.”
Opponents of the legislation were concerned about how the law
will affect insurance premiums. It has been estimated that it
could cost state taxpayers an extra $30 million a year.
When the bill was moving through the Illinois legislature, the
Illinois Freedom Caucus released a statement.
“Only in Illinois can we pass a bill which raises insurance
premiums for working families, delivers more free Cadillac
healthcare for illegals, and call it a success,” the group said.
Other laws going into effect include SB 2672, which requires any
provider of a group or individual policy of accident and health
insurance or a managed care plan to provide coverage for a brand
name prescription drug, if a generic drug is unavailable due to
a supply issue until the generic drug is available.
Another law prohibits hospitals from directly billing a patient
that is 138% below the federal poverty line, and another measure
limits the cost of epinephrine injectors to a maximum of $60 per
twin-pack. |
|
