Healthcare Services

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "PATIENTS' RIGHT TO TRANSPARENCY AND TIMELY ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES ACT" BY ADDING CHAPTER 116 TO TITLE 44 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; TO EXCLUDE CERTAIN HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FROM PREAUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS WHO MEET AN EIGHTY PERCENT THRESHOLD OF PREAUTHORIZATION REQUESTS FOR MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENTS DURING A PARTICULAR TIME PERIOD; TO REQUIRE A FAIR AND TRANSPARENT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION PROCESS FOR MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENTS; TO ESTABLISH TIMELINES FOR PREAUTHORIZATION DECISIONS; TO PROHIBIT ONGOING PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PATIENTS LIVING WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS AFTER PRIOR AUTHORIZATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO PROHIBIT INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM SWITCHING PHARMACEUTICALS DURING A POLICY YEAR; TO ALLOW FOR STEP THERAPY EXCEPTIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT ONCE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION IS GRANTED, HEALTH CARRIERS MUST PAY FOR THE SERVICE WITH EXCEPTIONS; TO REQUIRE CONTINUITY OF CARE WHEN A PATIENT CHANGES INSURANCE POLICIES; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN FILINGS FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR TRANSPARENCY CONCERNING APPROVAL AND DENIAL RATES; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE CHAPTER.