§ 10-16-145.5. Step therapy prohibited - stage four advanced metastatic cancer - definition. [Editor's note: This section is effective January 1, 2019.]

CO Rev Stat § 10-16-145.5 (2018) (N/A)
Copy with citation
Copy as parenthetical citation

(1) Notwithstanding section 10-16-145, a carrier that provides coverage under a health benefit plan for the treatment of stage four advanced metastatic cancer shall not limit or exclude coverage under the health benefit plan for a drug approved by the United States food and drug administration and that is on the carrier's prescription drug formulary by mandating that a covered person with stage four advanced metastatic cancer undergo step therapy if the use of the approved drug is consistent with:

(a) The United States food and drug administration-approved indication or the national comprehensive cancer network drugs and biologics compendium indication for the treatment of stage four advanced metastatic cancer; or

(b) Peer-reviewed medical literature.

(2) For the purposes of this section, "stage four advanced metastatic cancer" means cancer that has spread from the primary or original site of the cancer to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, or other parts of the body.