1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a health benefit plan which provides coverage for prescription drugs must not limit or exclude coverage for a drug if the drug:

(a) Had previously been approved for coverage by the carrier for a medical condition of an insured and the insured’s provider of health care determines, after conducting a reasonable investigation, that none of the drugs which are otherwise currently approved for coverage are medically appropriate for the insured; and

(b) Is appropriately prescribed and considered safe and effective for treating the medical condition of the insured.

2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not:

(a) Apply to coverage for any drug that is prescribed for a use that is different from the use for which that drug has been approved for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration;

(b) Prohibit:

(1) The carrier from charging a deductible, copayment or coinsurance for the provision of benefits for prescription drugs to the insured or from establishing, by contract, limitations on the maximum coverage for prescription drugs;

(2) A provider of health care from prescribing another drug covered by the plan that is medically appropriate for the insured; or

(3) The substitution of another drug pursuant to NRS 639.23286 or 639.2583 to 639.2597, inclusive; or

(c) Require any coverage for a drug after the term of the plan.

3. Any provision of a health benefit plan subject to the provisions of this chapter that is delivered, issued for delivery or renewed on or after October 1, 2001, which is in conflict with this section is void.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 859; A 2003, 2299; 2017, 637)