(a) A request for an exception to a health insurer’s step therapy process for prescription drugs may be submitted in the same manner as a request for prior authorization for prescription drugs pursuant to Section 10123.191, and shall be treated in the same manner, and shall be responded to by the health insurer in the same manner, as a request for prior authorization for prescription drugs.
(b) The department and the Department of Managed Health Care shall include a provision for step therapy exception requests in the uniform prior authorization form developed pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 10123.191.
(c) “Step therapy exception” means a decision to override a generally applicable step therapy protocol in favor of coverage of the prescription drug prescribed by a health care provider for an individual insured.