NJ S2918

Prohibits health insurance carriers from requiring prior authorization, step therapy, or other utilization management for prescription drugs treating serious mental illness when prescribed by a psychiatrist or an obstetrician/gynecologist during the postpartum period

Defines serious mental illness to include schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorders, bipolar disorders, major depressive disorders (including postpartum), and post-traumatic stress disorder as classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Allows any prescriber to continue a serious mental illness medication without prior authorization if the patient has been stable on that drug for six months after initial prescription by a psychiatrist or OB/GYN

Applies to private insurance carriers, State Health Benefits Program, School Employees' Health Benefits Program, Medicaid, and NJ FamilyCare programs, but only for patients 18 years of age or older

Takes effect 180 days after enactment and applies to policies issued or renewed after that date