HB 944

AN ACT TO REENACT SECTION 83-9-8.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROHIBITS A HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN FROM REQUIRING STEP THERAPY OR FAIL-FIRST PROTOCOLS BEFORE THE PLAN PROVIDES COVERAGE OF CERTAIN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO TREAT ADVANCED, METASTATIC CANCER AND ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS; TO REENACT SECTION 83-9-36, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PRESCRIBES THE PROCESS BY WHICH A PRESCRIBING PRACTITIONER MAY REQUEST AN OVERRIDE OF AN INSURER'S RESTRICTION ON MEDICATION FOR USE BY A STEP THERAPY OR FAIL-FIRST PROTOCOL; TO AMEND REENACTED SECTIONS 83-9-8.1 AND 83-9-36, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CODIFY AND EXTEND THE DATE OF THE REPEALER ON THOSE SECTIONS WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY ENACTED IN THE EFFECTIVE DATE SECTION OF THE ENABLING LEGISLATION; TO AMEND SECTION 3, CHAPTER 379, LAWS OF 2024, TO DELETE THE REPEALER ON SECTIONS 83-9-8.1 AND 83-9-36, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE SECTION OF THAT ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.