Bill > HB1045

This bill: - Prohibits health insurance carriers from requiring prior authorization solely based on the dosage amount for drugs used to treat substance use disorders. - Requires health benefit plans that cover treatment for substance use disorders to reimburse licensed pharmacists acting within their scope of practice and in accordance with state law for the provision of medication-assisted treatment services, at the same rate as licensed physicians or advanced practice registered nurses. - Allows certain mental health professionals, such as licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional counselors, to provide clinical supervision of individuals working towards certification as certified addiction technicians or specialists if they meet specific education requirements. - Authorizes licensed addiction counselors to provide clinical supervision of individuals working towards licensure as marriage and family therapists or licensed professional counselors if they meet the education requirements. - Expands the practice of addiction counseling to include clinical supervision by licensed addiction counselors of individuals working towards licensure as marriage and family therapists or licensed professional counselors. - Allows licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional counselors to provide clinical supervision of individuals working towards certification as certified addiction technicians or specialists if they meet the education requirements for a licensed addiction counselor. - Expands the practice of pharmacy to allow pharmacists to prescribe, dispense, and administer FDA-approved products for opioid use disorder treatment. - Requires the development of a statewide drug therapy protocol for pharmacists to prescribe, dispense, and administer FDA-approved Schedule III-V products as medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. - Creates a medication-assisted treatment expansion pilot program to provide grants to community agencies, practices, and pharmacies to enable nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists to obtain training and provide medication-assisted treatment services. - Requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to seek federal authorization to provide medication-assisted treatment and case management services to Medicaid members prior to their release from certain facilities, as well as a 30-day supply of prescription medications upon their release. - Requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to seek federal authorization to provide medication-assisted treatment and case management services to Medicaid members prior to their release from jail and a 30-day supply of prescription medications upon their release, if budget neutral. - Creates a contingency management grant program within the Behavioral Health Administration to provide grants to substance use disorder treatment programs that implement contingency management programs for individuals with a stimulant use disorder. - Makes various other changes related to the treatment of substance use disorders, including expanding telehealth coverage, requiring disclosure of reimbursement rates by managed care entities, and appropriating funds for related initiatives.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1045