- October 12, 2024
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Rob Byron - stock.adobe.com
The Florida Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill that would allow Medicaid beneficiaries with “serious” mental illness to avoid a drug practice known as step therapy.
Step therapy generally involves requiring a patient to try one type of medication to determine if it is effective before being able to try a more-expensive drug.
The bill would allow Medicaid beneficiaries with conditions such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorders and schizophrenia to be able to avoid step therapy if their physicians submit documentation about the medical necessity.
“I think this is a major step forward in how we are dealing with a significant (mental health) crisis that we have,” bill sponsor Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, said.
An identical bill (HB 183) is pending in the House Health & Human Services Committee.
