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Budget Summary FY2013

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Outside Section 201
Data Current as of:  7/7/2012




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Co-Pay Assistance

SECTION 201.   Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, not later than December 31, 2014, the division of health care finance and policy, in consultation with the department of public health, shall conduct and complete an analysis of the impact on health care costs of the use of discounts, rebate, product voucher or other reduction for biological products and prescription drugs authorized under section 3 of chapter 175H from August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2014. The report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the total number coupons and discounts redeemed in the commonwealth; (ii) the total value of coupons and discounts redeemed in the commonwealth; (iii) an analysis of the types of biological products and prescription drugs for which coupons and discounts were most frequently redeemed; (iv) a comparison of any change in utilization of generic versus brand name prescription drugs; (v) a comparison of any change in utilization of among therapeutically-equivalent brand name drugs; (vi) the effect on patient adherence to prescribed drugs; (vii) patient access to innovative therapies; (viii) an analysis of the availability of the coupons or discounts upon renewals; (ix) an analysis of the cost impact to consumers upon expiration of the coupon or discount; (x) an analysis of the impact on commercial health insurance premiums, attributed to both employers and individuals; (xi) an analysis of the impact on any health care cost containment goals adopted by the commonwealth; (xii) and an analysis of the impact on premiums associated with the group insurance commission.

To conduct its evaluation, the division may contract with an outside organization with expertise in the analysis of health care financing. In conducting its evaluation, the division may require that manufacturers of biological products and prescription drugs report on the number and types of coupons which such manufacturers have issued and which have been redeemed in the commonwealth.

The division shall file a report of its findings with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on health care financing.