Bill > HB382

This bill prohibits the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, insurers, health service plans, health maintenance organizations, and managed care organizations from applying prior authorization requirements, step therapy protocols, or fail-first protocols for prescription drugs used to treat certain serious mental health conditions in adult patients. Specifically, the bill covers prescription drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and medication-induced movement disorders associated with serious mental illness. The provisions will take effect on July 1, 2025, with insurance policies applying the changes from January 1, 2026. The bill includes a fiscal safeguard mechanism where if the implementation results in a cost increase to the Maryland Medical Assistance Program of more than $2 million in a fiscal year, the section will be automatically abrogated. The Maryland Department of Health is required to report on any cost increases annually from 2027 to 2031, and the Department of Legislative Services will review these reports to determine if the cost threshold has been exceeded. This legislation aims to reduce barriers to mental health treatment by preventing insurance providers from requiring patients to try less expensive or alternative medications before covering the prescription originally recommended by their healthcare provider.

Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0382?ys=2025RS