Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Step Therapy, Fail-First Protocols, and Prior Authorization - Prescription Drugs to Treat Serious Mental Illness

HB 808 prohibits Maryland's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance Program) from requiring prior authorization or step therapy/fail-first protocols for prescription drugs treating five specific serious mental health conditions: bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, PTSD, or medication-induced movement disorders linked to mental illness treatment. Starting July 1, 2026, the program must cover these medications without extra approval steps for adult enrollees diagnosed with these conditions. The law applies only to Medicaid-covered drugs for these diagnoses and expires on June 30, 2029. This directly affects Medicaid enrollees with these diagnoses by reducing administrative barriers to accessing prescribed mental health medications.