ATLANTA — HB 367, sponsored by state Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) unanimously passed the House of Representatives on Friday.  

The bill will require insurance companies to cover a 10-day supply of those medications requiring a prior approval or formulary change in order to allow time for the process to be completed. The bill also stipulates that there will be no financial penalty to the patient.

“Currently patients are having to do without their medications or pay the full amount until a prior approval or formulary change can be completed,” Carter said. “This bill will require insurance companies to pay for a 10-day supply of a non-covered medication while allowing patients to pay their normal co-payments until the prior approval or formulary change can be made.”

Carter, a practicing pharmacist and owner of three independent pharmacies, said the idea for the bill came about as a result of patients having to do without their medications until a prior approval or formulary change could be obtained.
“No longer will patients have to needlessly suffer because a medication is not covered by their insurance plans. This is good public policy and will make for better health care in our state," he said.

The bill now heads over to the state Senate and if passed by that body, onto the governor for his signature before becoming law.

Carter is in his second term in the Georgia House of Representatives where he represents District 159 covering south Effingham and west Chatham counties. He can be reached at (404) 656-0213 in Atlanta or (912) 604-5149 in the district. His e-mail address is BCarter331@aol.com.