New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation into law yesterday that will reduce the high cost of life-saving epinephrine auto-injectors for consumers with commercial health insurance. The new law mandates insurers cover the devices and caps out-of-pocket expenses at $100 per year.
Epinephrine is the only drug that can halt and reverse the progression of anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to a food, drug, insect venom, or environmental allergen.
The cost of a two-pack of EpiPen brand auto-injectors from Mylan skyrocketed from $60 in 2007 to over $600 today, so much so that the CEO of Mylan, Heather Bresch, was called to testify before Congress in 2016.
Said Hochul in a statement:
For people with severe allergies, immediate access to an EpiPen device can mean the difference between life and death. When every second counts, the last thing New Yorkers should have to worry about is whether they can afford the medication they need to survive an anaphylactic reaction. By signing this bill, we are putting people over profit and giving New Yorkers peace of mind by ensuring equitable access to this lifesaving emergency treatment
The new law, designated S.7114-A by the state senate, requires health insurers in the individual and group markets — including non-profits and HMOs — to cover medically necessary epinephrine devices and limit total out-of-pocket expenses to $100.
Despite the legislation mandating epinephrine auto-injectors and excluding other emergency epinephrine devices like nasal sprays, SnackSafely.com celebrates this new law and urges legislators in other states to sponsor similar legislation to protect their constituents with severe allergies.
- Senate Bill S7114A — NYS Senate
- New York law mandates EpiPen coverage by insurers, limits out-of-pocket costs — CBS 6 News Albany
