New York strengthens chemo coverage mandates [Long Island Business News (NY)]

Cancer advocates are applauding a new law requiring health insurance plans in New York to cover orally administered chemotherapy treatment to the same extent that it covers injections.

The proposal, supported by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, amends insurance law and increases coverage of chemotherapy medications while preventing insurers from hiking costs for other cancer care to make up for costs.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law Sept. 23, creating a type of parity for oral oncology medications.

Under the new law, all plans for prescription drugs and cancer chemotherapy treatment must cover prescribed, orally-administered anti-cancer medication "on the same basis as they do for intravenously administered or injected cancer medications," according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Long Island Chapter Executive Director Tammy Philie called the legislation a "win-win from both a cost-savings and patient-convenience standpoint."

She said oral chemotherapy for lung and breast cancers frequently "cost less than intravenous chemotherapies, require less visits and follow-up care and involve fewer potential complications."

Lisa Azzato, a trustee for the Long Island chapter, described the legislation as a "critical change in the law."

A recent study by Prime Therapeutics found that high out-of- pocket costs for oral medications prompted one in six cancer patients "to abandon their medications, which, in turn negatively impacts their health and drives up their long-term health care costs," according to the society.

The law also prevents insurers from increasing other cancer costs, in an effort to recoup revenue lost due to the new legislation.