Health insurance; require health benefit plans to follow new procedure related to step therapy protocol for CRF-COPD treatment.

SB 2069 requires health insurance plans in Mississippi to establish a clear process for patients with chronic respiratory failure due to COPD (CRF-COPD) to request exceptions when insurers require them to try alternative treatments first (step therapy). It mandates insurers to respond to such requests within 72 hours (or 1 business day if life-threatening) and defines specific circumstances for exceptions, such as ineffective treatments, severe health risks, or contraindications. The bill also requires insurers to make these procedures publicly available online and base decisions on clinical evidence. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.