SS 123-19 Notice of Preliminary Hearing

NOTICE OF PRELIMINARY PUBLIC HEARING

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance announces that it will hold a preliminary public hearing on SS: 123-19, a Statement of Scope for ss. Ins 18.03, 18.06, and 18 subch. IV, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to step therapy protocols for prescription drug coverage, grievance procedure amendments and affecting small business. In accordance with s. 227.136, Stats., the Commissioner is seeking public input through the hearing and comment period regarding the content of the proposed rule as described in the Statement of Scope at the time and place shown below.

Hearing Information:

Date:   January 16, 2020

Time:   9:30 am

Location:   Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

125 S. Webster St., 2nd Floor Rm. 227

Madison, WI 53703

Accessibility:

Pursuant to the American with Disabilities Act reasonable accommodations including the provision of informational materials in an alternative format, will be provided for individuals with disabilities upon request. Please call Karyn Culver at [phone] with specific information on your request at least 5 days before the date of the hearing. There is also handicap access to the hearing location.

Appearances at the Hearing and Submittal of Written Comments:

Persons wishing to testify or provide oral or written comments regarding the Statement of Scope for the proposed administrative rule may appear during the hearing. Additionally comments may be submitted at https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code.

For additional information please contact Julie E. Walsh at [phone] or email at [e-mail] in the OCI Legal Unit.

Deadline for submitting comments is January 27, 2020 by 4:00 pm.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:

The Statement of Scope for proposed rules will modify ss. Ins 18.03 and 18.06, Wis. Adm. Code, to update grievance procedures and make technical corrections. The proposed rule will add a subchapter to ch. 18 to address any rules necessary to implement 2019 Wis. Act 12 that created Wis. Stat. § 632.886, and to ensure compliance with the statute. To fully implement the new statute related to step therapy protocols for prescription drug coverage, the Commissioner will align existing statutes and regulations with the requirements of the newly enacted legislation.

The rule is unlikely to have a significant impact on to insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, utilizations review organizations, and providers as many insurers will be able to utilize existing appeal processes for compliance with the step therapy and revised grievance procedures..

Agency Small Business Regulatory Coordinator:

The OCI small business coordinator is Kate Ludlum and she may be reached at [e-mail] or [phone].