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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1947 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1379
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Michael P. Kushmerek
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act exempting medications used for the treatment of opioid use disorder from the prior
approval process under the Massachusetts Medicaid program.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Michael P. Kushmerek3rd Worcester1/15/2025 1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1947 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1379
By Representative Kushmerek of Fitchburg, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1379)
of Michael P. Kushmerek relative to exempting medications used for the treatment of opioid use
disorder from the prior approval process under the Massachusetts Medicaid program. Health
Care Financing.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act exempting medications used for the treatment of opioid use disorder from the prior
approval process under the Massachusetts Medicaid program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Section 51A of Chapter 118E of the Massachusetts General Laws, is hereby amended in
2paragraph (a) by striking the definition of “Step Therapy Protocol” and inserting in place thereof
3the following new definition: --
4 “Step Therapy Protocol”, a utilization management policy or program that establishes the
5specific sequence in which a prescription drug for a specified medical condition is covered by
6the division or an entity with which the division contracts to provide or manage health insurance
7benefits; provided, however, the provisions of such utilization management policy or program
8and any regulations requiring prior authorization for prescription drugs shall not apply to any
9medications prescribed by a health care provider for the treatment of opioid use disorder.