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Governor Kelly Armstrong has signed a bill into law that helps patients afford expensive prescription medications. The new law requires insurance companies to count manufacturer copay assistance toward a patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, essentially stopping them from doubling up on profit. House bill 1216 will help people with conditions like cancer, hemophilia, and cystic fibrosis who need expensive meds without generic alternatives. Drug companies often provide financial assistance for these meds, but insurance companies have been using “copay accumulators” to prevent this assistance from counting toward the patient. For example, a patient might use manufacturer assistance to pay for a prescription, only to later discover their insurance company still requires them to pay their full deductible—essentially making them pay twice. Rep. Karen Karls sponsored the bill after two previous failed attempts, facing opposition from insurance companies who claimed it would raise premiums, However, she noticed that the 21 other states with similar laws haven’t seen such increases. The bill was signed on Tuesday, with a ceremonial signing held on Thursday.
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