HB1276

House Bill 1276 amends Arkansas Code § 23-99-1114 to restrict the use of 'step therapy' protocols for patients prescribed antipsychotic medications. Step therapy, often called 'fail first' protocols, requires patients to try a cheaper or preferred drug before an insurer covers the medication originally prescribed by their physician. The bill mandates that insurance policies covering serious mental illness and psychosis may not require step therapy for antipsychotic prescription drugs. However, the bill specifies that allowing coverage for both a generic equivalent and a name-brand drug does not constitute step therapy. It also provides definitions for 'psychosis' and 'serious mental illness' to clarify the scope of this exemption. The legislation aims to ensure patients with mental health conditions have more immediate access to their prescribed antipsychotic treatments.