Bill Would Improve Patient Access to Rx Pain Treatment
A bill (AB 1826) that has cleared the Assembly and is pending in the Senate would prohibit health insurers from requiring patients to try over-the-counter pain medications before prescription pain drugs are covered. Under the practice known as "step therapy" or "fail first," patients can take up to five nonprescription drugs before receiving coverage for treatments their physicians prescribe.
- "California Bill Would Limit 'Step Therapy' in Pain Treatment" (Ferris, Sacramento Bee, 7/1).