1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, evidence of coverage 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 health maintenance organization or insurer for a medical condition of an enrollee and the enrollee’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 enrollee; and

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

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 health maintenance organization or insurer from charging a deductible, copayment or coinsurance for the provision of benefits for prescription drugs to the enrollee 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 evidence of coverage that is medically appropriate for the enrollee; 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 evidence of coverage.

3. Any provision of an evidence of coverage 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, 863; A 2003, 2300; 2017, 639)