By Emma White| UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism

HELENA – The House Business and Labor Committee heard testimony in support of a bill on March 24 aimed at minimizing wait times for psychiatric medications because of insurance prior authorization struggles when there is a shortage of the medication.

Prior authorization happens when an insurance company requires approval of a treatment or a medication before it can be given to a patient. Sen. Dennis Lenz, R-Billings, is sponsoring Senate Bill 317, and said if a patient typically takes a brand of a drug that is in shortage, they often need to go back through the process of prior authorization before getting a different brand, leading to delays. The bill, which passed the Senate earlier this month on a 49-1 vote, would mandate that insurance companies cover the replacement medication immediately. 

Dave Kuntz, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Montana, spoke in support of the bill, saying prior authorization is an additional struggle for people with mental illnesses.

“That really is something that affects your ability to manage through the daily challenges of everyday life, and this is just a clear path to help them get to a better spot,” Kuntz said.

Jon Metropoulos of the Montana Psychiatric Association also spoke in support of the bill, saying delays in receiving psychiatric medication can have serious consequences.

“The problems that come up when people are delayed because of prior authorization can be devastating to families and the individuals throughout are suffering from mental health issues,” Metropoulos said.

SB 317 drew no opposition at the March 24 hearing.

Emma White is a reporter with the UM Legislative News Service, a partnership of the University of Montana School of Journalism, the Montana Broadcasters Association, the Montana Newspaper Association and the Greater Montana Foundation. White can be reached at emma.white@umconnect.umt.edu.