Read the full stored bill text
×
Bill H.1128
SECTION 1. Section 1 of Chapter 176O of the Massachusetts general laws is hereby amended by inserting therein the following new definition: -
“Serious mental illness,” any of the following conditions, as defined by the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders:
(1) Bipolar disorders, hypomanic, manic, depressive, and mixed.
(2) Childhood and adolescent depression.
(3) Major depressive disorders, single episode or recurrent.
(4) Obsessive-compulsive disorders.
(5) Paranoid personality disorder and other psychotic disorders.
(6) Schizo-affective disorders, bipolar or depressive.
(7) Schizophrenia.
(8) Post-traumatic stress disorder.
SECTION 2.
Section 12A of said Chapter 176O is hereby further amended by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection:-
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a carrier or utilization review organization shall not, with respect to a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of serious mental illness, impose a prior authorization requirement, step therapy protocol, or any other protocol that could restrict or delay the dispensing of the drug.
SECTION 3. Section 8 of Chapter 118E of the Massachusetts general laws is hereby amended by inserting therein the following new definition: -
i½. “Serious mental illness”, any of the following conditions, as defined by the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders:
(1) Bipolar disorders, hypomanic, manic, depressive, and mixed.
(2) Childhood and adolescent depression.
(3) Major depressive disorders, single episode or recurrent.
(4) Obsessive-compulsive disorders.
(5) Paranoid personality disorder and other psychotic disorders.
(6) Schizo-affective disorders, bipolar or depressive.
(7) Schizophrenia.
(8) Post-traumatic stress disorder.
SECTION 4.
Section 51A of said chapter 118E is hereby further amended by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection: -
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the division or an entity with which the division contracts to provide or manage health insurance benefits shall not, with respect to a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of serious mental illness, impose a prior authorization requirement, step therapy protocol, or any other protocol that could restrict or delay the dispensing of the drug.
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
Close