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History
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 57–1
- Ordered to third reading cal.856
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 7317a
- Amend and recommit to health
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Prohibits managed care providers, under the medical assistance program, from requiring prior authorization for the dipensing of buprenorphine for treatment of opioid addiction
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to prohibiting prior authorization for the dispensing of buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid addiction
Purpose
Prohibits managed care providers, under the medical assistance program, from requiring prior authorization for the dispensing of buprenorphine for treatment of opioid addiction.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the social service law by adding a new subdivision 26-b which establishes that no managed care provider shall require prior authorization for any prescription or renewal thereof for the dispensing of buprenorphine which is prescribed as a treatment for opioid addiction
Section 2 establishes the effective date.
Justification
Opioid addiction in New York State has increased at an alarming rate. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that physicians are able to easily prescribe treatment to those struggling with addiction. Buprenorphine is an effective treatment for people with opioid addiction, it not only helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, but also helps the individual overcome this debilitating addiction. Although highly effective, physicians are reluctant to even obtain the qualifications necessary to prescribe this treatment because of the bureaucratic constraints. Prior authorization requires doctors to dedicate an exorbitant amount of time to simply provide patients with a prescription already decided to be appropriate for the patient's addiction recovery. This burdensome delay can last anywhere from forty-eight hours to over a week, often times resulting in a relapse for many of these individuals. Buprenorphine is an incredible tool not only helping to save lives, but also allowing individuals to obtain the comprehensive treatment they so desperately need. Eradicating the prior approval process for Buprenorphine will ensure greater access to this crucial piece of the recovery process.
Legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately, provided that the amendment to section 364-j of the social services law, made by section one of this act, shall not affect the expiration and repeal of such section, and shall expire and be deemed repealed therewith.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.