Earlier this year, State Senate Bill 225 passed the Senate unanimously, bringing patients one step closer to having better access to care. Now, we’re racing toward the finish line, and the House has a limited number of session days to schedule a vote and pass the bill.
This legislation will create a quicker, more efficient prior authorization process. The bill also provides a clearer route to request an override from the step therapy process.
Health insurance practices such as prior authorization and step therapy allow insurers to deny a prescribed medication or treatment, requiring patients to try and fail different treatment(s) before approving the original. Additionally, these practices undermine the patient-provider relationship and delay access to needed treatment which may result in worsened symptoms and associated higher healthcare costs.
The patient community appreciates the action taken thus far on this legislation. Now we need the House to take up SB 225 and vote yes to pass the bill.