the NYSBDC support memo! - New York State Bleeding Disorders

MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT
S.2530 (Golden) / A.6194 (Joyner)
ANTI-MANDATORY MAIL ORDER REFORM LEGISLATION
The New York State Bleeding Disorders Coalition (NYSBDC) is a partnership of not-for-profit patient
organizations and treatment centers dedicated to public advocacy on behalf of people affected by
bleeding disorders in New York State. Together, these organizations provide a broad range of medical
care, education, and support to people affected by bleeding disorders throughout the state.
The New York State Bleeding Disorders Coalition strongly supports passage of S.2530/A.6194. This
legislation is necessary to restore the intended functioning of the Anti-Mandatory Mail Order law and
ensure patients have access to medications from a qualified network local or mail order pharmacy.
The Anti Mandatory Mail Order (AMMO) law was passed in 2011 to ensure patient’s could choose a
qualified network local or mail order pharmacy based on which option best met the patient’s needs.
However, some health plans have used provisions of the AMMO law to impose unnecessary additional
terms and conditions on qualified network local pharmacies that effectively excludes them from serving
patients in favor of mail order pharmacies.
S.2530/A.6194 better defines terms, and remove provisions, in the AMMO law enabling exclusionary
practices by health plans. S.2530/A.6194 also holds local and mail order pharmacies to the same
reimbursements for covered medications, ensuring no additional costs to patients.
NYSBDC believes patient access to a pharmacy option which best meets the patients needs is essential
to maintaining patient health. Mail order and local pharmacies use different service models that meet
different patient needs. Mail order pharmacies offer a convenient way to receive medications, especially
routine maintenance medications. Local pharmacies offer other advantages:
 Direct pick up. Patients in apartments, rural areas, and insecure housing situations often lack a
secure place to receive deliveries. Some medications need special handling. Local pharmacies offer
secure pick up of medications, and reassure patients medication has been handled properly.
 Privacy. Picking up medications in person allows patients greater privacy. This can be especially
important for patients with conditions such as Cancer, HIV/AIDS, HCV, Lupus, M.S., and Bleeding
Disorders, who may face discrimination as a result of their conditions.
 Personal support. Interacting regularly with the same pharmacy helps patients develop a trusted
relationship with pharmacists. Patients are more likely to ask and follow medical advice from a trusted
source. The pharmacist can better monitor patient adherence to treatment regimens, progress,
possible side effects and adverse reactions. Local pharmacies can also better interact with clinicians
to adjust medication regimens. This is especially important for patients with limited English language
skills, the elderly, and patients with complex conditions.
 Direct oversight. Local pharmacies are routinely inspected by the NYS Board of Pharmacy and
supervised by a NYS-licensed pharmacist to make sure prescriptions are filled following NYS laws and
regulations. Patients who have problems can call New York state officials for help.
Medicare Part D and NYS Medicaid already ensure patients have access to a network local or mail order
pharmacy option. Additionally, the NYS Attorney General has called on health plans to not impose
unnecessary burdens on patient access to a local pharmacy option.
S.2530/A.6194 does not force health plans to accept additional local pharmacies not already qualified as
in-network. Nor does it limit health plans from offering patients a mail order pharmacy, or limit patients
from using mail order pharmacies if they choose to.
NYSBDC supports the goal of health plans to provide the best quality patient care services. Imposing
uncessary terms and conditions on local pharmacies that adds to their costs and forces patients to use
pharmacies which may not best meet their needs doesn’t accomplish this goal. Passing S.2530/A.6194
will restore the function of the AMMO law, and restore patient access to the pharmacy option which best
meets their care needs.
NYSBDC asks for your support in passing this legislation. We appreciate your consideration, and are
available to address any questions you have.
Thomas Wilmarth, Chair
New York State Bleeding Disorders Coalition
Thomas.wilmarth@rochesterregional.org
585-704-9338
Bleeding Disorders Advocacy Network
Bleeding Disorders Association of Northeastern New York (Albany)
Bleeding Disorders Association of the Southern Tier (Binghamton)
Coalition for Hemophilia B (National)
Hemophilia Association of New York (serving the 14 counties of southeastern New York State including
New York City, Long Island, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester)
Hemophilia Center of Western New York (Buffalo)
Hemophilia Connections (Utica)
Hemophilia Federation of America (National)
Hemophilia Foundation of Upstate New York (Rochester)
Long Island Jewish Medical Center / North Shore LIJ Health Systems Hemophilia Treatment Center
(Long Island)
Comprehensive Center for Hemophilia & Coagulation Disorders NY Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical
College (New York City)
Mount Sinai School of Medicine Comprehensive Diagnostic and Treatment Centers (New York City)
Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Treatment Center (Rochester)
National Hemophilia Foundation (National)
New York City Hemophilia Chapter (New York City)
Regional Comprehensive Hemophilia & von Willebrand Treatment Center (Albany)
SUNY Upstate Medical University-Hematology Oncology Program (Syracuse)
UHSH Blood Disorder Center (Johnson City)