Bill > S2843

This bill aims to improve patient safety and access to prescription drugs by regulating the use of step therapy protocols by MassHealth and health insurance carriers in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: - Requiring MassHealth and insurance carriers to grant exceptions to step therapy requirements in certain situations, such as when the required drug is likely to cause harm or is expected to be ineffective for the patient. - Establishing a process for patients and providers to request and obtain step therapy exceptions, with timely decisions required. - Prohibiting the use of step therapy protocols that require patients to use medications that are not likely to be clinically effective. - Creating a commission to study the impact of step therapy protocols and the effectiveness of the new exception process. - Setting the effective dates for the new requirements, including January 1, 2022 for both MassHealth and private insurance plans.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (J), Senate Committee on Ways and Means (S)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2843