VirginiaHB4902026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Health insurance; coverage for early refills of prescription eye drops.

Sponsored By: Patrick A. Hope (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Health insurance; coverage for early refills of prescription eye drops. Prohibits a health carrier from denying coverage to a covered person of an early refill of prescription eye drops if (i) the prescription eye drops are a covered benefit, (ii) the amount of time that has elapsed from the previous dispensing of such prescription would result in at least 85 percent of such prescription eye drops being used if taken consistently with the prescriber's directions, and (iii) the prescriber has indicated that additional quantities are medically necessary and the refill requested does not exceed such additional quantity. The provisions of the bill are applicable to contracts, policies, or plans delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth on and after January 1, 2027.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Insurance must cover early eye-drop refills

If your plan covers outpatient prescription drugs, it must cover early refills of prescription eye drops. The refill is covered when at least 85% of the prior supply would be used if taken as directed. Your prescriber must say more is medically necessary, and the refill cannot exceed that added amount. Insurers cannot add a special copay, coinsurance, fee, or other condition just for early refills. This applies to plans delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in Virginia on or after January 1, 2027.

Plans not covered by this eye-drop rule

This law does not make plans cover eye drops if they do not include prescription drug benefits. It also does not apply to short-term travel, accident-only, or limited disease policies. It excludes contracts designed for people eligible for Medicare and short-term nonrenewable plans of six months or less. These exclusions apply to plans delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in Virginia on or after January 1, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Patrick A. Hope

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 241 • No: 6

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 93 • No: 4

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Appropriations

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/13/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 6 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote 2/5/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations

Yes: 20 • No: 2

House vote 2/3/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations

Yes: 9 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0153)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 153 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  5. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB490ER)

    3/12/2026House
  6. Enrolled

    3/12/2026House
  7. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB490)

    3/12/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/12/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/12/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/5/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/4/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/4/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Commerce and Labor (13-Y 0-N)

    3/2/2026Senate
  16. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

    2/18/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/18/2026Senate
  18. Read third time and passed House (93-Y 4-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB490)

    2/17/2026House
  20. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/16/2026House
  21. committee amendment agreed to

    2/16/2026House
  22. Read second time

    2/16/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/15/2026House
  24. Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 0-N)

    2/13/2026House
  25. Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

    2/13/2026House

Bill Text

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