WashingtonPlans issued or renewed from 2027 must cover HIV drugs
For plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, insurers must cover federally approved HIV drugs without approval barriers, though this protection may cover only one approved equivalent version.
What it does
For plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, insurers must cover federally approved HIV drugs without approval or try-another-drug requirements. If approved equivalent versions exist, at least one must be covered without these controls.
Argument forRemoving insurer approval and try-another-drug requirements could help patients avoid delays in getting covered HIV drugs.
Argument againstPatients seeking another approved equivalent version could still face approval requirements or rules to try another drug first.
More detail
Health insurers must cover federally approved HIV antiviral drugs without advance approval, requirements to try another drug first, or other insurer controls on use. The requirement covers HIV antiviral drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It also applies to the medical insurance plans listed in section 2, including plans outside Washington’s insurance code. Plans may keep these controls on other federally approved equivalent versions for HIV prevention or treatment if they cover at least one equivalent version without them. The coverage requirement applies to health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 14Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 14Chapter 48, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 14Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 10Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 5Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 4President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 3Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 4.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#16). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 2Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 25Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 25HCW - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 25Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 24Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 12First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.Minor
- Feb 10Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#17). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 10Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 101st substitute bill substituted (HLTC 26).Major
- Feb 4Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Jan 29Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Jan 27Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Jan 27HLTC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Jan 27Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 22Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 16First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.Introduced
Healthcare