Your health plan would have to cover a type of medication used to treat obesity
What it does
HB 537 would require health benefit plans that cover prescription drugs to also cover a drug from the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist class when it is used to treat obesity. The requirement would apply to insurance policies, hospital service contracts, health maintenance organizations and similar plans, and to basic coverage plans, primary care coverage plans, and the state Medicaid program with its managed care program. If a state agency finds it needs a federal waiver to implement any part of the bill, it can ask for one and delay that part. The requirement would apply only to plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2028, and the bill takes effect September 1, 2027.
What it means for your community
If your health plan covers prescription drugs, it would have to cover this class of medication when it is used for obesity treatment, including coverage you get through work. If you are on Medicaid, the state program and its managed care program would be covered too. Plans already in place would not have to change until they are renewed on or after January 1, 2028. If a federal waiver is needed first, that part of the rule could be delayed.
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