Committee advances bill to ban programs that divert patient assistance from deductibles

The Tennessee House Insurance Committee advanced House Bill 870 on a unanimous voice vote after extended testimony and legal explanation on how so‑called alternative funding programs (AFPs) affect patients’ access to specialty drugs.

HB 870, sponsored in committee by Representative Lehi Rudder, would prohibit entities from using programs — described in testimony as “maximizers,” “optimizers,” “accumulators” or AFPs — in any way that prevents manufacturer patient assistance funds from counting toward a patient’s deductible or out‑of‑pocket maximums. An Office of Legal Services attorney told the committee the bill also includes a provision intended to avoid making certain health savings account (HSA)‑qualified plans ineligible under federal Internal Revenue Code section 223.

The bill’s sponsor told…