Support for H. 4491, Non-Medical Switching Legislation 

Ask your legislator to support H. 4491. Below is an opportunity to engage in support of reforms to current non-medical switching practices by health plans. 

When patients are stable on medications prescribed by their clinicians, a sudden switch imposed by health plans can upend a patients’ health. Through this legislation, medical stability and the clinician-patient relationship can be preserved.  

Switching a patient from a treatment regimen that has them stable and in control of their condition can lead to complications or even hospitalization, which leads to high costs to the patient and the health care system.  

H. 4491 will ensure that patients who are stable on their medications will not be suddenly switched to a new medication by their health plan. If a patient has already received approval from the health plan to receive the medication, the health care plan would be required to continue that coverage in order to ensure the stability of the patient. 

Dear [Lawmaker],

Please support H.4491 to help patients retain access to important medicines by eliminating non-medical switching in Massachusetts. The bill will ensure that a health plan cannot switch a patient from a medicine that has kept their condition stable to a different medicine for non-medical reasons.

Patients and their health care team work diligently to find a treatment plan that provides optimal health for their chronic conditions. Maintaining access to the medicines that are working is critical. Health insurers should not be able to mandate a switch to a different medication for cost reasons.

Keeping decisions on treatments in the hands of the clinician and patient ensures the protection of the clinician-patient relationship and puts the patient in the best position to remain in stable condition. Altering a patient’s medication for non-medical reasons can be devastating and lead to complications or hospitalization.

H.4491 will ensure that health plans cannot cease providing coverage for a medication that they have previously approved for the patient and ensure that patients remain stable and the clinician-patient relationship remains strong. Please support this legislation to help patients remain stable when receiving treatment for their condition.

Sincerely,
______

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