SF 1806 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Certain formulary changes during the plan year prohibition provision and medical assistance program formulary changes implementation for certain enrollees prohibition provision

This bill prohibits health plans from removing a drug from their formulary or moving it to a higher-cost tier during a plan year for enrollees who were previously prescribed that drug. It directly affects Minnesota health plan enrollees taking specific medications throughout their coverage year. Exceptions allow changes if the FDA deems a drug unsafe, withdraws it, or if evidence shows imminent patient harm. Health plans may switch to lower-cost generic/biosimilar drugs with 60 days' notice to prescribers and enrollees. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, for new or renewed health plans.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 24, 2025 Last action Mar 13, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Mar 13, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment, reflecting significant expansion in the number of legislative sections and a major addition of new text to the existing statute. The most critical change is the insertion of new provisions (Subdivisions 13i through 13k) that restrict a state agency's ability to remove drugs from its formulary list, ensuring continuity of care for patients who were already prescribed those medications. Additionally, the effective date for these new protections was updated to January 1, 2026, or later if federal approval is required.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a single section to multiple sections (up to 5.10), and the substantive scope of the law was broadened to include specific protections against formulary changes for existing enrollees.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added to prevent the removal of drugs from the formulary for patients who were already prescribed them, with specific exceptions for unsafe drugs or FDA withdrawals.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the new drug coverage protections was changed to January 1, 2026, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility for continued drug coverage was extended to enrollees who were previously prescribed a drug before it was removed from the formulary.

TECHNICAL

The bill structure was significantly altered by adding numerous new sections and renumbering existing content to accommodate the new text.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

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Key actions

Committee

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Health and Human Services

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Committee

Referred to Commerce and Consumer Protection

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors