BILL NUMBER: S2682
SPONSOR: BRESLIN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the insurance law and the public health law, in relation
to protecting certain therapeutic classes from step therapy
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to prevent plans from implementing step
therapy policies for certain progressive diseases.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends section 4902 of the insurance law to prohibit a
utilization review agent from applying a step therapy protocol to
medically necessary prescription drugs in dermatologic, hematology,
ophthalmologic, rheumatic, gastrointestinal, neurology, and oncology
therapeutic classes, including non-formulary drugs.
Section two amends section 4902 of the public health law to reflect the
same requirement as section one.
Section three requires that this act shall take effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Step therapy interferes with the prescriber-patient relationship and
delays access to necessary care, which can negatively impact patients'
health. This is especially true for those with progressive diseases who
require timely access to their prescribed treatment to avoid advancing
the condition and potentially causing irreversible harm.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S8193 - 2021/22
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S2682: 4902 public health law