Bill > SB1716

This bill aims to improve access to clozapine, a medication used to treat serious psychiatric disorders, by modifying monitoring requirements and ensuring continuous access for patients. It defines key terms like "health insurer," "participating provider," "provider," and "subscriber" to clarify who is covered and what services are included. The bill mandates that health insurers must cover clozapine and cannot deny, interrupt, or ration it for prescribed patients. It also requires insurers to offer clinically appropriate alternative methods for hematological monitoring, such as mobile phlebotomy or point-of-care testing, and prohibits denial of coverage based on cost or method if approved by the FDA or clinically accepted. Importantly, the bill allows patients to waive or modify routine blood monitoring with informed consent after being fully counseled on the risks and benefits, and insurers cannot deny clozapine solely because a patient chooses to modify monitoring, unless a provider determines it poses an imminent and serious medical risk. This legislation also extends these provisions to inmates in county jails and state prisons, ensuring they also have access to clozapine and modified monitoring protocols. Finally, it integrates clozapine access and treatment protocols into existing frameworks for long-term care services and comprehensive behavioral health systems for children, ensuring continuity of care across different settings and populations.

Budget and Finance

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/85366