Patients Before Paperwork

A coalition of experts, providers, advocates, and patients united to eliminate administrative barriers to accessing mental health care.

Vision

A Pennsylvania where medications for mental health are immediate, accessible, and guided by clinical expertise—not delays, hurdles, and paperwork.

We believe that when providers treat patients without red tape, recovery begins sooner, hospitalizations decrease, and resources reach those in greatest need.

Challenges

Pennsylvania’s mental-health system is overwhelmed. Emergency departments and psychiatric units are at capacity, while clinicians spend hours on prior authorizations and “fail-first” requirements that delay care.

Every delay increases the risk of relapse, hospitalization, and suicide.

Solutions

House Bill 1519 ends prior authorization, step therapy, and fail-first rules for mental-health medications in both commercial and Medicaid plans. It paves the way for patients to receive the care recommended by their doctors, without costly delays.

This reform ensures treatment decisions are made by medical professionals, not insurance paperwork—restoring time, efficiency, and dignity to care delivery.

Access

Recovery

Efficiency

Benefits

For Patients:

Timely, uninterrupted care that supports recovery and stability.

1

For Providers:

Less time on paperwork, more time with patients.

2

For the System:

Reduced hospitalizations, lower overall costs, and more efficient use of psychiatric beds.

3

Impact

Across states that have removed prior authorization barriers, the results are clear: better outcomes, lower costs, and stronger systems of care.

24 STATES

Have adopted open-access policies without raising spending. 1

$2,400

Additional annual Medicaid cost per enrollee caused by treatment delays. 2

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