Connecticut 2022 2022 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB05275 Comm Sub / Analysis

Filed 04/05/2022

                     
Researcher: ND 	Page 1 	4/5/22 
 
 
 
OLR Bill Analysis 
HB 5275  
 
AN ACT PROHIBITING CERTAIN HEALTH CARRIERS FROM 
REQUIRING STEP THERAPY FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS USED 
TO TREAT MENTAL OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.  
 
SUMMARY 
This bill prohibits individual and group health insurance policies 
from requiring the use of step therapy for drugs prescribed to treat 
covered individuals with mental or behavioral health conditions, so 
long as the drugs comply with approved U.S. Federal Drug 
Administration indications. (Step therapy establishes a sequence for 
prescribing drugs for specific medical conditions that generally requires 
patients to try less expensive drugs before higher cost drugs.) 
The bill applies to individual and group health insurance policies that 
provide prescription drug coverage and are delivered, issued, renewed, 
amended, or continued by an insurer, hospital or medical service 
corporation, HMO, or other entity.  
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2023 
BACKGROUND 
Related Bill 
SB 331, favorably reported by the Public Health Committee, contains 
similar provisions prohibiting insurers from requiring the use of step 
therapy for mental or behavioral health medications.  
COMMITTEE ACTION 
Public Health Committee 
Joint Favorable 
Yea 29 Nay 2 (03/18/2022)