AUGUSTA - Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, introduced legislation Friday before the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee that would prohibit the use of prior authorization and step therapy for MaineCare recipients with serious mental health conditions.
While Maine has already passed a similar law for those with a commercial or an employer-sponsored health plan, LD 1428 would expand the law to apply to MaineCare recipients. Prior authorization requires a provider to obtain approval from a patient's insurance company prior to prescribing a specific medication. Step therapy is a protocol that requires patients to start with less expensive or lower-risk medication before moving on to others, even if a doctor objects.
"Both prior authorization and step therapy can be impediments to treating mental illness safely and effectively," said Madigan. "We need to look after Mainers who rely on mental health medications. This bill would assist providers in treating their patients promptly and adequately."
The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Madigan is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents House District 64, which includes parts of Waterville and Winslow. She serves on the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Madigan], c. 305-965-2744