What's happening
This bill prohibits prior authorization requirements for certain medications used to treat substance use disorders in New York.
Why it matters
Expands access to evidence-based addiction treatment. By removing prior authorization for all forms of buprenorphine, methadone, and long-acting injectable naltrexone when prescribed according to national guidelines, the bill helps ensure patients can start or maintain medication-assisted treatment (MAT) without administrative delays.
Reduces bureaucratic barriers for providers and patients. Healthcare providers will no longer need to seek insurer approval before prescribing these key medications, potentially speeding up access to life-saving treatments and reducing the administrative workload for clinicians.
Standardizes protections across insurance types. The bill applies these changes to both managed care plans and public health programs, aiming for consistent, broad-based access regardless of the type of insurance or Medicaid plan, which could reduce disparities in treatment availability.
Aligns state law with clinical best practices. By tying coverage to "generally accepted national professional guidelines," the legislation aims to ensure patients receive care that reflects current science and expert consensus, helping combat the opioid and broader substance use disorder crisis with the most effective tools available.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End Prior Authorization for MAT
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Substituted by S5935A
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.456
- Rules report cal.456
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Print number 7246b
- Amend and recommit to ways and means
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Print number 7246a
- Amend (t) 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.
Remove Treatment Medication Barriers
Vetoed · Sponsor Pete Harckham
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7246--B
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 18, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL, QUART, RICHARDSON, CARROLL, WEPRIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- reported and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the social services law and the public health law, in relation to medication for the treatment of substance use disorders
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 365-a of the social services law is amended by adding a new paragraph (gg) to read as follows:
(gg) all buprenorphine products, methadone or long acting injectable naltrexone for detoxification or maintenance treatment of a substance use disorder prescribed according to generally accepted national professional guidelines for the treatment of a substance use disorder. Such medication assisted treatment shall not be subject to any prior authorization mandate.
§ 2. Subdivision 26-b of section 364-j of the social services law, as added by section 4 of part B of chapter 69 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
26-b. Managed care providers shall not require prior authorization for [an initial or renewal prescription for buprenorphine or injectable naltrexone for detoxification or maintenance treatment of opioid addiction unless the prescription is for a non-preferred or non-formulary form of the drug or as otherwise required by section 1927(k)(6) of the Social Security Act] any buprenorphine products, methadone or long acting injectable naltrexone for detoxification or maintenance treatment of a substance use disorder prescribed according to generally accepted national professional guidelines for the treatment of a substance use disorder.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10713-05-9
A. 7246--B 2
§ 3. Subdivision 10 of section 273 of the public health law, as added by section 5 of part B of chapter 69 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
10. Prior authorization shall not be required for [an initial or renewal prescription for buprenorphine or injectable naltrexone for detoxification or maintenance treatment of opioid addiction unless the prescription is for a non-preferred or non-formulary form of such drug as otherwise required by section 1927(k)(6) of the Social Security Act] any buprenorphine products, methadone or long acting injectable naltrexone for detoxification or maintenance treatment of a substance use disorder prescribed according to generally accepted national professional guidelines for the treatment of a substance use disorder.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that the amendments to subdivision 26-b of section 364-j of the social services law made by section two of this act shall not affect the repeal of such section, and shall be deemed repealed therewith.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.