AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

SB 271 prohibits health benefit plans from requiring or conducting prospective or concurrent utilization reviews for certain prescription medications used to treat alcohol or opioid use disorder. This applies to medicines containing Methadone, Buprenorphine, or Naltrexone, or those FDA-approved for opioid withdrawal symptoms. The bill directly affects individuals seeking these treatments and the health insurers providing their plans. Additionally, it requires Medicaid managed care organizations to use specific medical necessity criteria for their utilization reviews, as selected by the executive office of health and human services. This act takes effect upon passage.