This bill proposes significant updates to current statutes regarding mental health services, specifically focusing on the treatment and monitoring of clozapine, a medication used for psychiatric disorders. The bill introduces a new chapter in the Arizona Revised Statutes that mandates health insurers to provide reimbursement for clozapine without denying or rationing access based on various administrative policies or the absence of recent laboratory results. It also establishes the rights of subscribers to access alternative hematological monitoring methods and to waive or modify routine monitoring requirements after being counseled about the associated risks.

Additionally, the bill outlines protections for subscribers and members in both county jails and private prisons, ensuring they receive clozapine treatment consistently and without unnecessary barriers. It prohibits retaliatory actions against providers who comply with these regulations and emphasizes the importance of informed consent, even for those lacking decisional capacity. The bill aims to ensure continuity of care and equitable access to clozapine treatment across different settings, thereby enhancing the overall mental health service framework in Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 31-166, 31-243, 36-2903.18, 36-2939, 36-3431, 36-2938, 36-2907, 36-551, 36-591, 36-401, 36-2934, 32-1645, 36-562, 36-2981