Insurance coverage of oral cancer drugs approved

Insurance coverage of oral cancer medications will be required under a bill passed by the Legislature April 2.

LB882, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, requires that a health policy, certificate, contract or plan provide coverage for a prescribed, orally administered anticancer medication that is used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis no less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications that are covered as medical benefits.

The bill also prohibits an insurance provider from reclassifying an anticancer medication or increasing a coinsurance, copayment, deductible or other out-of-pocket expense to offset the cost of complying with the bill.

LB882 takes effect Oct. 1, 2012, and sunsets Dec. 31, 2015.

The bill passed on a 46-0 vote.