JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri Senate has passed legislation that could lower the cost of receiving oral chemotherapy treatments.
Senators voted 33-0 on Thursday to send the measure to the House. It would let insurance companies charge patients only $75 more per month for chemotherapy pills than traditional intravenous chemotherapy treatments.
Patients are often charged much more for oral chemotherapy because it is handled as a pharmacy benefit. Traditional intravenous treatments often only cost the standard co-payment for an office visit.
The legislation is sponsored by Republican Sen. Ryan Silvey, of Kansas City.
Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia already have laws requiring equal coverage for oral and intravenous chemotherapy treatments.
___
Chemotherapy bill is SB668
Online:
Legislature: https://www.moga.mo.gov
Please read our comment policy before commenting.