Step Therapy
Step therapy, or “fail first,” is a practice in which insurers force patients onto alternative treatments before advancing to clinician-preferred medications. It can be especially hazardous for patients with heart problems, who face a greater risk of serious cardiovascular complications.
Safe Step Act
The Safe Step Act would reform step therapy practices. The bipartisan legislation would require health plans to allow patients to skip certain insurer-mandated steps, outline how patients may ask for exemptions, and quickly respond to patients’ request, saving them time and safeguarding them from potentially dangerous side effects.
Blogs
"Fail First" Fails Heart Patients
For patients with heart disease, getting on the right medicine quickly can mean the difference between a fatal cardiac event and another day doing what they love.
For Some, Step Therapy Is a Matter of Death or Life
I had been experiencing chest pain for a while. It was robbing me of joy – and it was often embarrassing. I’d begun to dread going to the Dodgers’ games with my friends because there were so many stairs. Once, during a work trip to San Francisco, I couldn’t keep pace with my boss and […]
Poll: Health Plan Delays are "Unreasonable," Dangerous for Heart Patients
Heart disease patients, providers, caregivers and stakeholders agree: Health plan policies that delay access to life-saving medication are unacceptable.
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No More Extra "Steps"
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Fail First Hurts Hearts
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Defining Step Therapy
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Papers
The Dangers of Step Therapy for Heart Patients
Step therapy can be especially hazardous for patients with heart problems.
Videos
Angie's Struggle with Step Therapy
Angie Peterson was diagnosed with FH. Her doctor recommended one treatment - but her insurance forced her on another.
Fail First is Failing Heart Disease Patients
As rates of heart attack and stroke soar, now is the time for policymakers to ensure that heart patients get the right medicine at the right time.
Barriers to Patient Access: Step Therapy
When prior authorization delays treatment, patients can see their symptoms worsen and their relationship with their physician erode.