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GA HB1179
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/7/2024
Primary Sponsor
Sharon Cooper
Click for details
AI Summary
- Health benefit plans in Georgia are prohibited from imposing step therapy protocols (requiring patients to try and fail on cheaper medications first) for prescription drugs prescribed to treat serious mental illness
- Medicaid contracts entered into or renewed by the department on or after July 1, 2024, must similarly prohibit step therapy protocols for serious mental illness medications
- "Serious mental illness" is defined to include bipolar disorders, childhood/adolescent depression, major depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, paranoid and other psychotic disorders, postpartum depression, schizoaffective disorders, and schizophrenia, as defined by the DSM in effect on July 1, 2024
- The Department of Community Health is required to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment or federal waiver request if necessary to implement the Medicaid provisions
- Amends O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.25 (health benefit plans) and adds new Code Section 49-4-159.4 (Medicaid)
Legislative Description
Insurance; step therapy protocols may not be required for medications prescribed for the treatment of serious mental illness under health benefit plans; provide
Last Action
House Second Readers
2/9/2024
Committee Referrals
Public Health2/8/2024
Full Bill Text
No bill text available