Bill > S1192

This bill requires health insurance carriers and state Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare programs to provide prescription drug coverage for serious mental illnesses without prior authorization or utilization management requirements, such as step therapy protocols. The bill specifically applies to prescriptions written by psychiatrists or obstetricians/gynecologists during the postpartum period, and only for patients 18 years of age or older. Serious mental illnesses are defined comprehensively, including conditions like bipolar disorders, major depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. If a patient has been stable on a specific mental health medication prescribed by a psychiatrist or obstetrician/gynecologist for six months, another prescriber can continue prescribing that medication without additional authorization requirements. The bill aims to reduce barriers to accessing mental health medications by eliminating prior authorization processes and step therapy protocols, which often require patients to try less expensive or alternative medications before receiving their preferred or prescribed treatment. The legislation will take effect 180 days after enactment and will apply to insurance policies issued or renewed after that date.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1192