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89(R) SB 1525 - Engrossed version - Bill Text
By: Menéndez, Alvarado
S.B. No. 1525
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prior authorization for prescription drug benefits
related to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter N, Chapter 1369,
Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER N. COVERAGE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR AUTOIMMUNE
AND
NEURODEGENERATIVE
DISEASES AND CERTAIN BLOOD DISORDERS
SECTION 2. Section 1369.654, Insurance Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(a) A health benefit plan issuer that provides prescription
drug benefits may not require an enrollee to receive more than one
prior authorization annually of the prescription drug benefit for a
prescription drug prescribed to treat an autoimmune disease,
a
neurodegenerative disease,
hemophilia, or Von Willebrand disease.
(c)
Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a health benefit plan
issuer may require an enrollee who is prescribed a new prescription
drug to treat a neurodegenerative disease to obtain a prior
authorization for the prescription drug.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a health benefit plan that is delivered, issued for delivery, or
renewed on or after January 1, 2026. A health benefit plan
delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2026,
is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the
effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for
that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.