CDC HIV/AIDS/Viral Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update
CALIFORNIA: Anthem Blue Cross Backs off Mail-Order Pharmacy
Requirement David Lazarus February 20, 2013 Los Angeles Times
(02.19.13)Anthem Blue Cross, California's largest for-profit
health insurer, has withdrawn its request for some of its
policyholders to buy their prescription drugs from a specific
mail-order pharmacy. In November, the company had notified
policyholders of the new requirement, which applied to certain
medications used to treat major illnesses. The company stated
that this procedure would help keep costs down. However, the
requirement was challenged based on California’s Unruh Civil
Rights Act, which specifies that all people must be treated
equally. California’s Attorney General Kamala D. Harris
commented that any rule forcing some people to buy drugs from
one drugstore, but allowing others to shop elsewhere could be a
violation of the law. Lynda Gledhill, as spokesperson for the
attorney general, stated that an individual cannot b