Regards prescription drugs and medication switching

SB 160 prohibits health insurance plans from making certain changes to drug coverage during a plan year, such as increasing patient costs, moving drugs to more restrictive tiers, or removing drugs from formularies (except for specific safety or manufacturer discontinuation reasons). It directly affects health insurance issuers and plan members by limiting how insurers can adjust coverage for prescription drugs. Key provisions include allowing generic substitution when available, preventing prior authorization for covered drugs, and exempting plans from restrictions if a drug’s cost rises more than 5% plus inflation. The bill aims to stabilize drug access for patients while permitting standard practices like formulary additions and generic substitutions.