Mississippi Senate Bill SB2264

Mississippi 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/24
• Refer: 2/6/24
• Failed: 3/5/24

Caption

Health insurance policies; prohibit step therapy requirements for certain prescription drugs to treat advanced cancer.

Impact

The bill's implementation will impact several existing health insurance policies in Mississippi, particularly those concerning cancer care. Effective from January 1, 2025, any health plan providing coverage for advanced, metastatic cancer may no longer enforce step therapy prior to covering specific FDA-approved drugs. This aligns the state's insurance regulations more closely with treatment guidelines backed by peer-reviewed medical literature, potentially resulting in better patient outcomes for those suffering from severe illnesses.

Summary

Senate Bill 2264 aims to prohibit health insurance plans from imposing step therapy protocols on effective prescription drugs used to treat advanced, metastatic cancer. This legislation focuses on ensuring that patients receive timely access to medically necessary treatments without having to first try and fail alternative medications. By removing the requirement for patients to demonstrate a history of failure with other drugs, the bill stands to facilitate a more direct pathway to therapeutic options that align with contemporary medical practices.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its patient-centric focus, it may also evoke discussions among insurers regarding the cost implications of these changes. Critics of step therapy argue that such protocols can delay necessary treatments, which may result in adverse outcomes for patients. Nevertheless, there may be concerns among some insurance providers about increased costs and the potential for overutilization of certain therapies without the previously mandated step therapy requirement.