PA-ACP thanks Senate for passage of prior authorization and step therapy reform bill

State senate leaders vote yes on SB 225

 

June 29 – The PA-ACP is joining patients and advocates from across Pennsylvania in thanking state senators for unanimously passing Senate Bill 225, a vital piece of legislation that aims to curb restrictive prior authorization and step therapy (fail first) practices imposed by health insurers.  PA-ACP had made passage of this legislation its top priority for the 2022 legislative session.  The bill has been referred to the House Insurance Committee for consideration in that chamber.

“SB 225 provides much needed transparency, accessibility and consistency to the processes of prior authorization and step therapy,” said Larry Jones, MD, FACP, President of the PA Chapter, American College of Physicians. “The changes included in SB 225 will reduce the administrative time our practices spend each week on prior authorization, significantly improving our ability to treat patients in a timely and medically appropriate manner.”

“PA-ACP is extremely thankful to Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill, Kim Ward and John DiSanto for their efforts in getting the bill to the finish line in the Senate, and to all the members of the Senate who listened and heard their providers and patients and determined to help resolve many of the issues caused by the prior authorization process,” Jones said. “We look forward to working with House leadership to complete the job of reforming prior authorization in Pennsylvania.”

A practice that started as a method to control costs for experimental or new procedures, prior authorization requires physicians to obtain approval from insurers before prescribing medication or moving forward with a specific treatment. Today, the practice can lead to significant delays in care that contribute to negative outcomes. Step therapy, meanwhile, requires patients to try, and fail, on one or more prescription drug, test or treatment option chosen by their insurance company before approving the one recommended by their physician. This effectively gives an insurer more control than the prescribing provider.

“We applaud Members of the Senate for advancing this important piece of legislation and urge the House to do the same.  Patients need the ability to quickly assess their condition with their medical professionals and find the best course of action for their individual health needs,” said Emma Watson, Director of Government Relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “No patient should face unnecessary barriers to receiving lifesaving medications.  This legislation will streamline and safeguard patient access.”

According to a recent survey of physicians by the American Medical Association, the negative impact of processing prior authorization requests on patients is clear. A staggering 78% of patients report prior authorization delays can lead to them abandoning their treatment. And 92% of doctors report prior authorization delays can have a negative clinical impact on patients.

SB 225, however, will create standards meant to reduce delays from prior authorization and make the process more efficient, and will implement guidelines that make for a clearer route to exceptions from step therapy.

PA-ACP took a leading role on behalf of the physician community in negotiating the language of the legislation during more than a year of deliberations with stakeholders, Senators and staff.  The stakeholders include physician organizations, patient advocacy groups, the Hospital and Health System Association of PA, the Insurance Federation of PA, Highmark, Capital Blue Cross, Independence Blue Cross, UPMC Health System and Geisinger Health System.

Prior authorization and step therapy are often applied to patients living with a wide range of diseases and chronic conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Not only have these prior authorization  practices impacted patient outcomes, but they have undermined the patient-provider relationship and delayed access to needed treatment which may result in worsened symptoms and associated higher healthcare costs.

SB 225 is authored by state Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R, York) and enjoyed bipartisan co-sponsorship and support.

HB/SB 225 is Supported By:

 The Coalition to Improve Prior Authorization and Step Therapy for Pennsylvanians