Wisconsin Passes Step Therapy Reform On July 9, 2019, Governor Tony Evers signed legislation that will put common sense patient protections in place for the practice of step therapy. The legislation becomes effective January 1, 2020 and will protect Wisconsonites insured through state regulated, individual market plans. Health care providers will have access to a…
Patient Interview: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Step Therapy Jen Melanson speaks about her experiences living with rheumatoid arthritis and navigating step therapy protocols to get the treatment she needs.
Washington Passes Step Therapy Reform! Governor Inslee signed HB 1879 into law yesterday, expanding patient protections in Washington State. This new law places guardrails in prescription drug utilization management (UM) protocols and requires a health plan to clearly post the process and criteria for prescription drugs that require a UM protocol, including prior authorization and…
Georgia Joins Ranks of States Passing Step Therapy Reform Thanks in part to combined efforts of SAIM Coalition members, their respective patient and provider volunteers, and the local Rx in Reach coalition, Georgia House Bill 63 was signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp on April 25, granting necessary patient protections for those with…
Virginia Becomes 21st State to Pass Step Therapy Reform The SAIM Coalition applauds Virginia lawmakers for passing H.B. 2126 into law. Signed by Governor Northam on March 12, the law requires health insurers to establish a process for step therapy override exception guidelines. Led by Delegate Glenn R. Davis Jr. (R) from District 84…
Ohio Passes Step Therapy Reform! Yesterday, Governor John Kasich signed SB 265 into law, making Ohio the twentieth state to pass step therapy reform. Effective January 1, 2020, the bill includes language which will reform how health plans apply step therapy requirements to patients needing certain medications. Ohioans for Step Therapy Reform, led by the…
Martinez signs bill to curb ‘step therapy,’ vetoes raises for elected offices A bill designed to rein in “step therapy,” the insurance company practice of requiring patients to try a less expensive medication before using a costlier option, will become law in New Mexico. Gov. Susana Martinez on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 11, sponsored by…
New Jersey May Become Latest State to Cap Out-of-Pocket Cost of Medications There’s a bipartisan push to cap what patients pay for drugs. It could cut their bills in half, but not everyone’s on board New Jersey officials hope the Garden State will join a growing number of states that have capped out-of-pocket patient costs…