Thanks to Pulmonary Hypertension Association advocacy, patients can more easily access PH medication in Arizona. Until recently, Arizona was one of the most challenging states for Medicaid beneficiaries to access the full range of PH therapy.
Arizona Medicaid previously required patients to fail to improve on three preferred treatments before considering a non-preferred PH drug. In 2024, PHA began educating the entity that administers Arizona Medicaid about the progressive, life-threatening nature of PH and the importance of medical care driven by clinician expertise and the patient-clinician relationship.
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System revised its policy after receiving a letter from PHA’s CEO, Scientific Leadership Council and clinicians at PHA-accredited PH Care Centers in Arizona. It now requires patients to try two – not three – treatments. The change will save months of critical time when a patient needs non-preferred therapy.
PHA believes that these types of step therapy requirements aren’t appropriate for complex diseases like pulmonary hypertension. PHA will continue to press Arizona Medicaid and other Medicaid programs to reduce PH therapy barriers.
At the same time, PHA is fighting to preserve Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program funding. Urge your members of Congress not to cut Medicaid funding.
To contact PHA’s treatment access program, email us or call 240-485-0758.
