AB 1970: Health care coverage: mental health or substance use disorders.

This bill prohibits health care service plans and health insurance policies from imposing step therapy as a prerequisite to authorizing coverage of prescription drugs used to treat serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders, starting January 1, 2027. The prohibition does not apply when the FDA-labeled indications and usage of a drug require prior medication. This provision would make a willful violation a crime, and the state would be required to reimburse local agencies and school districts for the costs of implementing this provision. However, no reimbursement is required for this act.