AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 83-9-36.3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE A HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN TO IMPLEMENT A CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS FOR A PARTICIPANT, BENEFICIARY OR THE PRESCRIBING HEALTH CARE PROVIDER ON BEHALF OF THE PARTICIPANT OR BENEFICIARY, WITH CRF-COPD TO REQUEST AN EXCEPTION TO A STEP THERAPY PROTOCOL; TO SET CERTAIN PROCEDURES RELATED THERETO; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS TO A TREATMENT STEP THERAPY PROTOCOL FOR TREATMENT OF CRF-COPD; TO REQUIRE HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS TO MAKE CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING SUCH PROCEDURES AVAILABLE ON THEIR WEBSITE; TO REQUIRE HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS TO RESPOND TO A REQUESTING PRESCRIBER WITHIN SEVENTY-TWO HOURS AFTER RECEIVING AN INITIAL EXCEPTION REQUEST; TO REQUIRE HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS TO RESPOND TO SUCH A REQUEST WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY WHEN THE STEP THERAPY PROTOCOL MAY JEOPARDIZE THE LIFE OR HEALTH OF THE BENEFICIARY; TO AMEND SECTION 83-9-36, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 83-9-36