Chronic health prescriptions only require prior authorization once under new IL proposal

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A plan by Illinois House Democrats would let Illinoisan with chronic health conditions only need prior authorization once when refilling their prescription medicine.

Prior authorization is when doctors need to know if the patients health insurance will or will not cover the cost of a prescribed drug. Currently chronically ill patients need prior authorization each time they refill their medicine.

This bill would change that, only needing prior authorization once. State Rep. Sonya Harper (D-Chicago) said the current system puts an "unnecessary burden on the patient."

The plan received some oral bipartisan support, with State Rep. William Hauter (R-Morton) saying he "hates prior authorization." Republicans voted against the bill since the language of the bill may change.

The plan passed out the House insurance committee on a partisan 10-6 vote.