The Assembly today approved a bill that would address step therapy, a cost-saving method employed by insurance companies

The legislation — introduced by Joint Finance Committee Co-chairs Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, and Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette — would address step therapy. That’s a cost-saving method employed by insurance companies; it makes patients try a number of drugs recommended by the insurer before “stepping” up to cover the cost of the medication recommended by a doctor.

The bill wouldn’t eliminate step therapy outright. Instead, it would add transparency to the appeals process and create exceptions that would allow patients to skip the step therapy process if they met certain criteria.

The measure passed unanimously by voice vote.

It also passed by voice vote in the Senate earlier this session and now heads to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk.

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