1Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
2act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
3welfare laws of the Commonwealth," providing for electronic
4prior approval for Medicaid.

5The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6hereby enacts as follows:

7Section 1. Subarticle (f) of Article IV of the act of June
813, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, is
9amended by adding a section to read:

10Section 449.1. Electronic Prior Approval Process.--<-(a) The 
11Medical Assistance Fee for Service Program shall have an 
12electronic prior approval process in place one hundred twenty 
13days after the effective date of this section for use by 
14physicians to secure approval of any preferred and nonpreferred 
15drugs requiring prior approval. Preferred and nonpreferred 
16psychotropic drugs prescribed by Pennsylvania licensed 
17physicians specializing in the field of psychiatry shall be 
18exempt from prior authorization requirements. The department
 

1shall draft guidelines to update lists and processes on a 
2regular basis in order to best meet the needs of the citizens of 
3this Commonwealth.

<-4(b) No later than one year from the effective date of this
5section, the department shall issue a report electronically to
6the chairman and minority chairman of the Public Health and
7Welfare Committee of the Senate, the chairman and minority
8chairman of the Health Committee and the chairman and minority
9chairman of the Human Services Committee of the House of
10Representatives, and then a second report no later than three
11years from the effective date of this section. The report shall
12contain information detailing any costs or savings related to
13implementing the provisions of this section related to exempting
14licensed physicians specializing in the field of psychiatry from
15having to obtain prior authorization for preferred and
16nonpreferred psychotropic drugs.

17Section 2. This act shall take effect in 180 days.