Prohibit health insurers from performing prior authorization on psychiatric drugs in shortage or discontinued

This bill prohibits health insurance companies in Montana from requiring prior authorization for psychiatric medications that are either in shortage or have been discontinued, as well as for long-acting injectable antipsychotics. It also removes prior authorization requirements for generic drugs that have been prescribed without interruption for six months and for dosage adjustments made by prescribers within FDA-approved ranges. Additionally, the bill mandates that any adverse prior authorization decisions for prescription drugs must be reviewed by a physician specializing in the relevant medical condition. These changes directly affect patients prescribed psychiatric medications and the insurance plans that cover them, aiming to reduce administrative barriers to accessing necessary mental health treatments.