This bill mandates that health insurance carriers, as well as the State Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs, provide coverage for prescription drugs prescribed for serious mental illnesses without requiring prior authorization or any form of utilization management, including step therapy protocols. The bill specifically defines "serious mental illness" to include various psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorders, major depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and schizophrenia, among others.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of carriers and the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in ensuring compliance with these coverage requirements. It emphasizes the need for managed care organizations to adhere to these provisions and establishes a framework for reporting and monitoring compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. The act is set to take effect 180 days after enactment and will apply to policies issued or renewed thereafter.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26:2S-10.8