Journal article
Analysis of Legal Verbiage in State Legislation for Insurer Coverage of Early Eyedrop Refills in the United States
Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, Vol.8(2), pp.199-205
03/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.ogla.2024.11.003
PMID: 39542213
Abstract
Purpose
State laws on early eyedrop refills, implemented to help patients obtain their medications when they run out early, have many inconsistencies possibly impacting their efficacy and functionality. This study sought to examine different state laws and elucidate unique features and commonalities that may influence their effectiveness.
Design
A review of all state legislation to date regarding early eyedrop refills was performed.
Participants
All 50 states were included, with an in-depth review of the 33 states that had early eyedrop refill legislation.
Methods
The law database Nexis Uni (formerly LexisNexis) and each state’s individual law code site were used to identify relevant laws (or proposed legislation) using keywords such as “eyedrop,” “eye,” “refill,” and “early.” Political data based on the year these laws were passed was obtained from the National Governor’s Association and National Conference of State Legislatures. This data was aggregated and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Main Outcome Measures
State law wording was analyzed for percentage of dosage period passed, days passed, and other requirements.
Results
Of the 33 states with early eyedrop refill laws, 14 were only days based, 8 were only percentage based, 4 had both, 4 had neither percentage nor days criteria, and 3 had neither but cited CMS guidelines. These laws were passed between 2009-2023, with a notable increase from 2014-2018, rising from 10 to 29 states. Regionally, the Northeast had the highest adoption rate (88%), followed by the West (77%), the South (56%), and the Midwest (50%). Political climates varied: 14 states had Republican control, 2 had Democratic control, and 17 had mixed party control. Of the 17 states without an early eyedrop refill law 4 attempted passage but were not put into law for various reasons with the other 13 not appearing to have had any attempts at law passage.
Conclusions
State laws providing coverage for early eyedrop refills vary in terms of verbiage and requirements necessary to obtain a covered early eyedrop refill. Region, political climate, and year appear to play minor roles in early eyedrop refill verbiage and passage.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Analysis of Legal Verbiage in State Legislation for Insurer Coverage of Early Eyedrop Refills in the United States
- Creators
- Nicole N. Chamberlain - University of IowaJ Kevin McKinneyLydia Yang - University of Iowa, Orthopedics and RehabilitationWisam Najdawi - University of IowaPatrick B. Barlow - University of IowaAndrew E. Pouw - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, Vol.8(2), pp.199-205
- Publisher
- ELSEVIER; AMSTERDAM
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ogla.2024.11.003
- PMID
- 39542213
- ISSN
- 2589-4196
- eISSN
- 2589-4196
- Grant note
- American Glaucoma Society-Mentorship for Advancement of Physician Scientists
Supported by the American Glaucoma Society-Mentorship for Advancement of Physician Scientists (A.E.P.) .
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 11/2024
- Date published
- 03/2025
- Academic Unit
- ICTS; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Center for Social Science Innovation; Office of Consultation and Research in Medical Education; General Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9984746138702771
Metrics
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