A  bill in the Ohio Senate doesn鈥檛 ban so-called "step therapy," but would allow for exemptions such as if medication causes an allergy or if the patient has already tried the treatment and it didn鈥檛 work.

Senators have unanimously passed a bipartisan bill that would make changes in the process by which insurance companies deny treatments and drugs until other options are tried first.

Ohio is one of 10 states considering step therapy changes. Republican Sen. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) said it鈥檚 been a long road for this bill which was introduced in February of last year.

鈥淭here are 18 other states that have passed similar patient protections, including Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia, none of which have resulted in any significant financial impact," Lehner said.

A coalition of more than 60 patient advocates pushed for the bill, which was opposed by health plans. Insurers say step therapy ensures safer and more cost effective treatments are the first option.