Stiles Introduces Bill to Eliminate Prior Authorization for Addiction Treatment

CONCORD, NH - Hampton’s state Senator has proposed a new bill that she hopes will remove barriers to access for people needing substance abuse treatment.

State Sen. Nancy Stiles, R-Hampton, introduced SB 532 on Feb. 11, 2016, a bill that would remove the prior authorization requirement for medically necessary substance abuse treatment, according to a press statement.

“As we heard from many individuals who testified today and during the Joint Task Force, time is of the essence when those suffering from a heroin or opioid addiction decide to seek treatment,” she said. “The bill we introduced today would eliminate one potential barrier for those seeking treatment by removing insurer’s prior authorization requirement, which could take days or weeks. This bill would standardize the preauthorization process to follow the American Society of Addiction Services (ASAM) for substance use disorder inpatient services among all providers.”

If approved, the bill would allow addicts to seek treatment without delay, allowing them to access consistent, quality care when it is most needed and effective as part of the recovery process, she said.