New Jersey Assembly Bill A5661

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/26/23
• Refer: 6/26/23

Caption

Requires prescription drug coverage for serious mental illness without prior authorization or utilization management, including step therapy.

Impact

By establishing these requirements, A5661 is poised to enhance healthcare access for individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, among others. The expected outcome is that patients will receive timely access to the prescribed medications crucial for their treatment without facing bureaucratic hurdles that can compromise their health. This legislation aligns with broader efforts to ensure mental health parity in insurance coverage, reinforcing the commitment to treat mental health conditions on equal footing with physical health conditions.

Summary

Assembly Bill A5661 introduces an important mandate requiring insurance carriers and specific state programs, namely Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare, to provide prescription drug coverage for serious mental illnesses without implementing prior authorization or any form of utilization management. This includes eliminating step therapy protocols which often require patients to try less expensive medications before being approved for necessary treatments. The bill aims to remove barriers that can delay treatment for individuals suffering from severe mental health conditions.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, A5661 may draw various points of contention, particularly from insurance carriers who might express concerns over the implications for operational costs and policy structuring. Critics may argue that removing prior authorization could lead to increased prescription costs or misuse of expensive medications. Nonetheless, proponents advocate for patient rights and the critical need for timely access to therapies, emphasizing that the benefits of facilitating immediate treatment outweigh concerns about abuse or overspending in the healthcare system.