Thanks to all from the Hepatitis Health Care Access, Insurance & Medications Workgroup who worked on this and took action!!!
The vast discrepancy between Prior Authorization Forms utilized by Medicaid Managed Care plans was cited as a significant waste of time & energy and thus an obstacle to provision of optimal patient care by Hep C Medical Providers in particular.
New York Health Works
Gov. Signs Bill to Improve Access for Patients and Ease Burden on Providers
Yesterday, Governor Cuomo signed the Standardized Prior Authorization bill (A.10248B/S.7384A) for Medicaid that will enhance patient access, relieve overburdened health care providers, and allow providers more time to treat patients!
The Governor is commended for his leadership in recognizing and fixing a significant problem in pharmacy access for Medicaid recipients.
However, this would not have happened without the unrelenting work of patients, patient advocacy groups, medical providers and pharmacists. Together, they worked with legislative members to craft a simple solution to a vexing problem in the Medicaid managed care program.
Effective immediately, the new law requires the development of a standardized prior authorization form to be used by all Medicaid managed care providers when submitting utilization review requests to health plans. The new form will be developed by the Department of Health and will be available in paper or electronic form. The new law is designed to ease the burden experienced by providers and patients in navigating through the prior authorization processes of 21 different Medicaid managed care plans. It will streamline the process and result in more time spent on actual patient care.
Patients, advocates, medical providers and pharmacists should express their appreciation and thanks to Governor Cuomo, and a job well-done to the Assembly and Senate sponsors, former Assemblyman Peter Rivera (now the New York State Labor Commissioner) and Senator Kemp Hannon. Additionally, Assemblyman Gottfried deserves strong praise for his long-time support of patient access to prescription drugs in the Medicaid program. Senate and Assembly leaders Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver should be lauded for championing this legislation during the waning days of the 2012 legislative session. With the support of this group and their legislative colleagues, this barrier to prescription drug access has been torn down.
Please see below the contact info for the above-mentioned individuals. Please either email or call their offices, thanking them for fighting for the Standardized Prior Authorized bill.
Collectively, we look forward to our future work in addressing patient access to Medicaid prescription drugs as prescribed by health care providers, with the Executive and our legislative champions.
Jaime Venditti
State Coordinator
New York Health Works
Governor Andrew Cuomo
Phone: (518) 474-8390
Email: gov.cuomo@chamber.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Sheldon Silver, Assembly Speaker
Albany Office Phone: 518-455-3791
Email: speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
Senator Dean Skelos, Senate Majority Leader
Albany Office Phone: (518) 455-3171
Email: skelos@nysenate.gov
Senator Kemp Hannon
Albany Office Phone: (518) 455-2200
Email: hannon@nysenate.gov
Assemblyman Richard Gottfried
Albany Office Phone: (518) 455-4941
Email: GottfriedR@assembly.state.ny.us
Commissioner Peter River (former Assemblyman)
NYS Department of Labor: (518)-457-9000
Email: peter.rivera@labor.ny.gov
Last Updated on January 25, 2020 by HepFree NYC
