AZ HB2449

Prohibits prior authorization and step-therapy protocols for prescription medications prescribed to treat eight specified mental disorders (bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, paranoid and other psychotic disorders, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizoaffective disorders, and schizophrenia) for persons at least 18 years of age.

Allows administration and contractors to impose limited step-therapy requiring members to try no more than one prescription drug before receiving coverage for the physician-prescribed medication.

Applies restrictions only to covered medications that do not exceed FDA-approved labeled dosages and are on the system's approved behavioral health drug list or available under the Medicaid drug rebate program.

Requires the pharmacy and therapeutics committee to review newly FDA-approved drugs for treating qualifying mental disorders at the first available committee meeting following approval.

Applies to contracts entered into, amended, extended, or renewed on or after September 30, 2025.