The bill amends Section 33-32-221 of the Montana Code Annotated to prohibit health insurance issuers from performing prior authorization on certain psychiatric drugs. Specifically, it adds a provision that prevents prior authorization for any prescription drug, whether generic or brand name, that is designated as in shortage. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the list of psychiatric drugs in shortage will be determined quarterly based on the official shortage list published by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Furthermore, the bill includes a new requirement that manufacturers of prescription drugs subject to the shortage designation cannot engage in predatory pricing or marketing related to these shortages, with violations subject to enforcement and penalties under existing consumer protection laws. This legislation aims to ensure that patients have timely access to necessary psychiatric medications that may be in short supply, thereby addressing potential barriers to treatment.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 33-32-221
SB0317_1(1): 33-32-221
SB0317_1(2): 33-32-221
SB0317_1(3): 33-32-221
SB0317_1(4): 33-32-221
SB0317_1(5): 33-32-221
SB0317_1: 33-32-221
SB0317_2(1): 33-32-221
SB0317_2(10): 33-32-221
SB0317_2(2): 33-32-221
SB0317_2(3): 33-32-221
SB0317_2(4): 33-32-221
SB0317_2(5): 33-32-221
SB0317_2(6): 33-32-221
SB0317_2(7): 33-32-221
SB0317_2(8): 33-32-221
SB0317_2(9): 33-32-221
SB0317_2: 33-32-221
SB0317_X(1): 33-32-221
SB0317_X(2): 33-32-221
SB0317_X: 33-32-221