1. (1) As used in this section, FDA means the food and drug administration in the United States department of health and human services.

2. (2) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, each MCE that provides prescription drug benefits or methadone administration for the treatment of substance use disorders shall:

   1. (a) Not impose any prior authorization requirements on any prescription medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of substance use disorders, regardless of the dosage amount;
   2. (b) Not impose any step therapy requirements as a prerequisite to authorizing coverage for a prescription medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of substance use disorders;
   3. (c) Not exclude coverage for any prescription medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of substance use disorders and any associated counseling or wraparound services solely on the grounds that the medications and services were court ordered; and
   4. (d) Set the reimbursement rate for take-home methadone treatment and office-administered methadone treatment at the same rate.

Source: L. 2019: Entire section added, (HB 19-1269), ch. 195, p. 2136, § 15, effective May 16. L. 2024: (2) amended, (HB 24-1045), ch. 470, p. 3288, § 21, effective August 7.

Cross references: For the short title (Behavioral Health Care Coverage Modernization Act) in HB 19-1269, see section 1 of chapter 195, Session Laws of Colorado 2019.