ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 5703

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  JUNE 16, 2021

 

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5703 (1R).

     This bill requires certain health benefits carriers and State programs to provide coverage for an opioid antidote without imposing prior authorization requirements. 

     This bill requires an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, or health maintenance organization authorized to issue health benefits plans in this State, as well as the Medicaid program, the NJ FamilyCare Program, the State Health Benefits Program, and the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program to provide coverage for an opioid antidote without imposing prior authorization requirements or other utilization management requirements, provided that the treatment is: (1) prescribed or administered to the eligible member by a licensed medical practitioner who is authorized to prescribe or administer that treatment pursuant to State and federal law; or (2) dispensed to the eligible member by a licensed pharmacist under a standing order to dispense an opioid antidote pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2017, c.88 (C.45:14-67.2), which allows pharmacists to dispense opioid antidotes to any person without an individual prescription

     The bill provides that its provisions are not be construed to limit the coverage of an opioid antidote only when administered by a medical practitioner.

     The bill defines “opioid antidote" to mean naloxone hydrochloride, or any other similarly acting drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for self-administration for the treatment of an opioid overdose.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) concludes that New Jersey FamilyCare costs would increase, potentially by substantial amounts, due to the bill’s requirement that the program cover opioid antidotes, without prior authorization other utilization management requirements, when the treatment is prescribed or dispensed by certain licensed medical practitioners or pharmacists, as authorized under State or federal law.

      Since State Medicaid expenditures for covered health care services, including prescription drugs, qualify for federal matching funds, any additional State costs incurred pursuant to the bill will also increase State revenues.  The “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” additional provides for a temporary 6.2 percent increase in the State’s Federal Medical Assistance Percentage through the end of 2021.

      Currently, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and the School Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) cover opioid antidotes without prior authorization or step therapy requirements.  Therefore, OLS concludes that this bill would not impact State costs for either the SHBP or the SEHBP; rather the bill would simply codify current coverage policy under both programs.