Extra Rx During State of Emergency

Mike Causey, Commissioner North Carolina Department of Insurance BULLETIN       Number 17-B-04 To: All Insurance Companies and other Entities Licensed under Chapter 58 of the North Carolina General Statutes From: Life & Health Division Date: September 7, 2017 Subject: Hurricane Irma - North Carolina Operations Governor Cooper issued today, EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 20, a DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY, effective September 7, 2017 for the State of North Carolina. The executive order declares that a state of emergency exists in North Carolina due to the approach of Hurricane Irma. The potential impacts expected from the hurricane are heavy rain, possible flooding and gusty wind, which present a serious potential for treacherous conditions adversely affecting travel on our roads and potential loss of electrical and other utility services. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 58-3-228, as revised by Session Law 2012-12, Section 2.(k), this bulletin pertains to all health benefit plans as defined in N.C.G.S. § 58-3-167, the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees, and any optional plans or programs operating under Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 135 of the General Statutes, and other stand-alone prescription medication plans issued by entities that are licensed by the Department. This bulletin is to remind health benefit plans of compliance requirements for operations under a state of emergency for purposes of obtaining extra prescriptions during a state of emergency or disaster. This authorization of extra prescriptions during this state of emergency in the State of North Carolina is valid for prescription medication requests made within 29 days of issuance of this bulletin, unless extended by an order issued by the Commissioner. Please refer any questions regarding this bulletin to the attention of Ted Hamby at LHInbox@ncdoi.gov. The Internet Link to the statute is: http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/HTML/H843v6.html    http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_58/GS_58‐3‐228.pdf