58-3-181. Synchronization of prescription refills.
(a) Every health benefit plan that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall provide for synchronization of medication when it is agreed among the insured, the provider, and a pharmacist that synchronization of multiple prescriptions for the treatment of a chronic illness is in the best interest of the insured for the management or treatment of a chronic illness, provided all of the following apply:
(1) The medications are covered by the clinical coverage policy.
(2) The medications are used for treatment and management of chronic conditions, and the medications are subject to refills.
(3) The medications are not a Schedule II controlled substance or a Schedule III controlled substance containing hydrocodone.
(4) The medications meet all prior authorization criteria specific to the medications at the time of the synchronization request.
(5) The medications are of a formulation that can be effectively split over required short-fill periods to achieve synchronization.
(6) The medications do not have quantity limits or dose optimization criteria or requirements that would be violated in fulfilling synchronization.
(b) When applicable to permit synchronization, the health benefit plan shall apply a prorated daily cost-sharing rate to any medication dispensed by a network pharmacy pursuant to this section. Any dispensing fee shall not be prorated and shall be based on an individual prescription filled or refilled.
(c) The following definitions apply in this section:
(1) Health benefit plan. - As defined in G.S. 58-3-167. The phrase also applies to limited-scope dental and vision insurance.
(2) Health care provider or provider. - As defined in G.S. 58-3-225(a)(4).
(3) Insured. - An individual who is eligible to receive benefits from the health benefit plan.
(4) Insurer. - As defined in G.S. 58-3-225(a)(5). (2015-241, s. 20.2(a).)
Structure North Carolina General Statutes
North Carolina General Statutes
Article 3 - General Regulations for Insurance.
§ 58-3-1 - State law governs insurance contracts.
§ 58-3-5 - No insurance contracts except under Articles 1 through 64 of this Chapter.
§ 58-3-6 - Charitable gift annuities.
§ 58-3-7 - Certain accountable care organizations not subject to this Chapter.
§ 58-3-8 - Medical direct primary care agreements not subject to this Chapter.
§ 58-3-10 - Statements in application not warranties.
§ 58-3-15 - Additional or coinsurance clause.
§ 58-3-20 - Group plans other than life, annuity or accident and health.
§ 58-3-25 - Discriminatory practices prohibited.
§ 58-3-30 - Meaning of terms "accident", "accidental injury", and "accidental means".
§ 58-3-33 - Insurer conditionally required to provide information.
§ 58-3-35 - Stipulations as to jurisdiction and limitation of actions.
§ 58-3-40 - Proof of loss forms required to be furnished.
§ 58-3-45 - Insurance as security for a loan by the company.
§ 58-3-50 - Companies must do business in own name; emblems, insignias, etc.
§ 58-3-55 - Must not pay death benefits in services.
§ 58-3-60 - Publication of assets and liabilities; penalty for failure.
§ 58-3-65 - Publication of financial information.
§ 58-3-71 - Unearned premium reserves.
§ 58-3-72 - Premium deficiency reserves.
§ 58-3-75 - Loss and loss expense reserves of fire and marine insurance companies.
§ 58-3-81 - Loss and loss expense reserves of casualty insurance and surety companies.
§ 58-3-100 - Insurance company licensing provisions.
§ 58-3-105 - Limitation of risk.
§ 58-3-110 - Limitation of liability assumed.
§ 58-3-115 - Twisting with respect to insurance policies; penalties.
§ 58-3-120 - Discrimination forbidden.
§ 58-3-121 - Discrimination against coverage of certain bones and joints prohibited.
§ 58-3-135 - Certain insurance activities by lenders with customers prohibited.
§ 58-3-137 - Prohibition on provisions relating to replacement cost estimators.
§ 58-3-140 - Temporary contracts of insurance permitted.
§ 58-3-145 - Solicitation, negotiation or payment of premiums on insurance policies.
§ 58-3-147 - Credit card guaranty or collateral prohibited.
§ 58-3-149 - Certificates of insurance.
§ 58-3-150 - Forms to be approved by Commissioner.
§ 58-3-151 - Deemer provisions.
§ 58-3-152 - Excess liability policies; uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages.
§ 58-3-155 - Business transacted with insurer-controlled brokers.
§ 58-3-160 - Sale of company or major reorganization; license to be restricted.
§ 58-3-165 - Business transacted with producer-controlled property or casualty insurers.
§ 58-3-167 - Applicability of acts of the General Assembly to health benefit plans.
§ 58-3-168 - Coverage for postmastectomy inpatient care.
§ 58-3-169 - Required coverage for minimum hospital stay following birth.
§ 58-3-170 - Requirements for maternity coverage.
§ 58-3-171 - Uniform claim forms.
§ 58-3-172 - Notice of claim denied.
§ 58-3-175 - Direct payment to government agencies.
§ 58-3-176 - Treatment discussions not limited.
§ 58-3-177 - Uniform prescription drug identification cards.
§ 58-3-179 - Coverage for colorectal cancer screening.
§ 58-3-180 - Motor vehicle repairs; selection by claimant.
§ 58-3-181 - Synchronization of prescription refills.
§ 58-3-185 - Lien created for payment of past-due child support obligations.
§ 58-3-190 - Coverage required for emergency care.
§ 58-3-191 - Managed care reporting and disclosure requirements.
§ 58-3-192 - Coverage for autism spectrum disorder.
§ 58-3-200 - Miscellaneous insurance and managed care coverage and network provisions.
§ 58-3-215 - Genetic information in health insurance.
§ 58-3-220 - Mental illness benefits coverage.
§ 58-3-221 - Access to nonformulary and restricted access prescription drugs.
§ 58-3-223 - Managed care access to specialist care.
§ 58-3-225 - Prompt claim payments under health benefit plans.
§ 58-3-227 - Health plans fee schedules.
§ 58-3-228 - Coverage for extra prescriptions during a state of emergency or disaster.
§ 58-3-230 - Uniform provider credentialing.
§ 58-3-231 - Payment under locum tenens arrangements.
§ 58-3-235 - Selection of specialist as primary care provider.
§ 58-3-240 - Direct access to pediatrician for minors.
§ 58-3-245 - Provider directories; cost tools for insured.
§ 58-3-247 - Insurance identification card.
§ 58-3-250 - Payment obligations for covered services.
§ 58-3-255 - Coverage of clinical trials.
§ 58-3-256 - Coverage related to organ transplants.
§ 58-3-260 - Insurance coverage for newborn hearing screening mandated.
§ 58-3-265 - Prohibition on managed care provider incentives.
§ 58-3-270 - Coverage for surveillance tests for women at risk for ovarian cancer.
§ 58-3-275 - Closure of a block of business.
§ 58-3-280 - Coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema.
§ 58-3-285 - Coverage for hearing aids.
§ 58-3-290 - Nondependent child coverage defined; open enrollment.
§ 58-3-300 - Health insurance issuers subject to certain requirements of federal law.