OOA Advocates for Step Therapy Legislation

(February 11, 2016) A coalition of health care advocates from across Ohio visited the Ohio Statehouse, February 10, to advocate for Senate Bill 243, and the newly-introduced companion bill, House Bill 443, which address step therapy, or “fail first” requirements imposed by health plans.

Ou Hcom Students Nate Overmire Oms Iv And Elizabeth Snajder Oms I With Rep Terry Johnson Do Sponsor Of Hb 443

OU-HCOM students Nate Overmire, OMS IV, and Elizabeth Snajdar, OMS I, with Rep. Terry Johnson, DO, sponsor of HB 443

Senate Bill 243 is sponsored by Sen. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) and Sen. Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus). House Bill 443 is sponsored by Rep. Terry Johnson, DO (R-McDermott) and Rep. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood).

Under step therapy, an insurer routinely denies coverage of a prescribed medication, requiring that the patient first try a different medicine, usually at less cost to the health plan. The patient must "fail first" on the drug chosen by the insurer, at which point the health plan may require additional steps – other medications – before approving the original prescription from the prescriber.

Step therapy is increasingly used by insurers. In 2010, nearly 60 percent of health insurers reported using step therapy, and in 2013, 75 percent of large employers reported offering plans that utilize step therapy.

OOA Executive Director Jon F. Wills, and two OU-HCOM students-- Nate Overmire, OMS IV, and Elizabeth Snajdar, OMS I, participated in the legislative visits. They met with State Rep. Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) to explain the major provisions of the bill. Wills also participated in interested party meetings led by Lehner prior to the introduction of SB 243 in the Senate.

SB 243 does not prohibit step therapy, but sets up conditions for its use. The bill would:

A recent assessment showed that 18 of the nation's largest insurers who were asked to cover a biologic or immunologic drug (often used to treat autoimmune diseases) instead required patients to try medications carrying "black box warnings" of side effects like serious infections, tuberculosis, and cancer. This happened even when the medication requested by their healthcare provider did not carry any such black box warnings. In other words, patients were prescribed medicine that had less serious side effects, and the insurer replaced it with medicine that had potentially more severe side effects.

So far six states (Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi and Washington) have passed a law requiring more accountability and transparency from insurers when it comes to step therapy. California recently passed legislation that requires insurers to accelerate their response time to exceptions and appeals. Ohio is among 10 states currently considering legislation.  

Members of the coalition include:

Printer-Friendly Version