Bill
HB 808
Bill restricts step-therapy requirements for serious mental illness medications in Maryland Medicaid, enabling faster access to doctor-prescribed psychiatric drugs through expedited prior authorization.
HB 808 would modify Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) to restrict "step therapy" or "fail-first" protocols for prescription drugs used to treat serious mental illness. Step therapy requires patients to try lower-cost medications first before accessing more expensive alternatives, even if a doctor recommends a specific drug. This bill would require prior authorization and expedited reviews for mental health medications, potentially allowing faster access to prescribed treatments.
Individuals with serious mental illness often have specific medication needs based on their unique biology and previous treatment history. Delays in accessing appropriate medications can lead to symptom deterioration, hospitalizations, and crisis situations. This bill addresses a real tension between cost containment and treatment effectiveness in state Medicaid programs, affecting thousands of low-income Marylanders with conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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