State Representative Heidi Workman announced on Mar. 25 that the Ohio House passed House Bill 220, which seeks to change the prior authorization process for prescription medications by requiring insurers and Medicaid to honor certain existing approvals.
The bill aims to address delays in patient care caused by administrative requirements. Workman said, “House Bill 220 is about putting patients back at the center of health care. For too long, unnecessary prior authorization hurdles have delayed care and created confusion for both patients and providers. This bill brings common-sense reforms by ensuring approvals are honored, strengthening clinical review standards, and reducing bureaucratic barriers so Ohioans can get the care they need, when they need it.”
If enacted into law, House Bill 220 would require health insurers and the Department of Medicaid to accept a prior authorization approval if a provider changes the dosage of an approved drug. It would also require that the specialty and qualifications of any clinical peer reviewing appeals be identified. The legislation prohibits health insurers from charging fees for appealing adverse determinations and prevents retroactive denial of authorizations for mental health or substance use disorder treatment. The provisions would apply to private insurance policies issued after January following the effective date.
The passage comes as lawmakers continue work on other policy priorities in Ohio. State Representative Kevin Miller has worked on public safety issues through supportive policies for first responders according to his official website. Miller has also supported conservative initiatives including rights related to life, firearms ownership, and limiting government overreach according to his official website.
Miller represents Ohio’s 69th House District covering parts of Fairfield, Perry, and Licking counties according to his official website, where he resides with his family according to his official website. He continues efforts focused on public safety by advocating policies supporting first responders according to his official website.
House Bill 220 now moves forward for consideration in the Ohio Senate.
