This bill, S.F. No. 2071, proposes an amendment to Minnesota Statutes to prohibit the use of step therapy protocols for prescription insulin drugs in health insurance plans.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

• Definition of Terms:

  • "Diabetes" includes Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • "Prescription insulin drug" follows the definition in Minnesota Statutes, section 62Q.48, subdivision 2.
  • "Step therapy protocol" follows the definition in Minnesota Statutes, section 62Q.184, subdivision 1.

• Prohibition on Step Therapy for Insulin:

  • Health insurance plans that cover diabetes treatment cannot require patients to go through step therapy protocols for obtaining prescription insulin.
  • Step therapy protocols generally require patients to try less expensive or insurer-preferred treatments first before gaining access to other prescribed medications.

This measure aims to ensure immediate access to prescribed insulin medications for diabetes patients without requiring them to fail first on insurer-preferred alternatives.