An Act exempting medications used for the treatment of opioid use disorder from the prior approval process under the Massachusetts Medicaid program
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 4/16/2026 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
| 3/19/2026 | House | Reporting date extended to Monday, June 15, 2026 |
| 9/15/2025 | House | Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
| 6/24/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 07/01/2025 from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM in Gardner Auditorium |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Health Care Financing |
No additional cosponsors.
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J24 | Favorable | 1 entries |
| Committee | Fiscal Amount |
|---|---|
| J24 | {'FiscalType': None, 'Amount': 'More Than 100,000.00 '} |
of Chapter 118E of the Massachusetts General Laws, is hereby amended in paragraph (a) by striking the definition of “Step Therapy Protocol” and inserting in place thereof the following new definition: -- “Step Therapy Protocol”, a utilization management policy or program that establishes the specific sequence in which a prescription drug for a specified medical condition is covered by the division or an entity with which the division contracts to provide or manage health insurance benefits; provided, however, the provisions of such utilization management policy or program and any regulations requiring prior authorization for prescription drugs shall not apply to any medications prescribed by a health care provider for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
Section 51A of Chapter 118E of the Massachusetts General Laws, is hereby amended in paragraph (a) by striking the definition of “Step Therapy Protocol” and inserting in place thereof the following new definition: -- “Step Therapy Protocol”, a utilization management policy or program that establishes the specific sequence in which a prescription drug for a specified medical condition is covered by the division or an entity with which the division contracts to provide or manage health insurance benefits; provided, however, the provisions of such utilization management policy or program and any regulations requiring prior authorization for prescription drugs shall not apply to any medications prescribed by a health care provider for the treatment of opioid use disorder.