Legislative update

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Alabama MGMA State Chapter Legislative Update

1. 2024 Legislative Updates

Legislation Passed in 2024:
- Senate Bill 72 - Prevents adverse action against a physician or advanced practice provider who prescribes or recommends off-label medical treatments. Passed 5/8/24
- Senate Bill 159 – Provides civil and criminal immunity for death or damage to an embryo provided to persons when providing or receiving services related to IVF. Passed 3/6/24
- House Bill 232 – Allows licensed physical therapists to conduct initial screenings of patients without a referral from providers. Passed 5//8/24

2. Legislation Effective January 1, 2025

SB 240 – Department of Mental Health; Gives probate judges the power to authorize the involuntary commitment of individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders secondary to mental illness and determine the appropriate medical evaluation process for the respondent. It is established that mental health providers are not required to expand existing services unless they have the funds to do so.
The Alabama Board of Nursing has established the Nursing Support Technician Certification to bring a standard scope of practice for the nursing assistant role and help with workforce shortages.

3. What to Watch for in 2025

Pending Legislation: Bills under consideration in 2025.
- HB 45/SB27 – Requires Alabama Medicaid to cover any noninvasive colorectal cancer screening test assigned to a grade A or B under the recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force.
- HB 242 – Requires Medicaid to cover rapid whole genome sequencing.
- SB 43 – Prohibits health insurance companies from regulating what providers and pharmacists may tell patients about the cost of the treatment or medication they are receiving or from informing patients about alternative treatments or medications that may be lower in cost.
- SB 58/SB 101 – Changes legal consent for medical treatment from 14 years of age to 18
- HB 177 – If employer-provided health insurance is available to the custodial or non-custodial parent, the Medicaid-enrolled child must be enrolled in the employer-provided health insurance.
- SB 93 and SB 99 – Requires equal reimbursement to all pharmacies; Imposes restrictions and regulations on pharmacy benefit managers. SB 99 includes the ability to enforce these regulations.
Discussions regarding Medicaid expansion in Alabama continue. BC/BS has proposed that ALL Health provide private health insurance using Medicaid expansion funding.