(a) A health benefit plan issuer that requires a step therapy protocol before providing coverage for a prescription drug must establish, implement, and administer the step therapy protocol in accordance with clinical review criteria readily available to the health care industry. The health benefit plan issuer shall take into account the needs of atypical patient populations and diagnoses in establishing the clinical review criteria. The clinical review criteria:
(1) must consider generally accepted clinical practice guidelines that are:
(A) developed and endorsed by a multidisciplinary panel of experts described by Subsection (b);
(B) based on high quality studies, research, and medical practice;
(C) created by an explicit and transparent process that:
(i) minimizes bias and conflicts of interest;
(ii) explains the relationship between treatment options and outcomes;
(iii) rates the quality of the evidence supporting the recommendations; and
(iv) considers relevant patient subgroups and preferences; and
(D) updated at appropriate intervals after a review of new evidence, research, and treatments; or
(2) if clinical practice guidelines described by Subdivision (1) are not reasonably available, may be based on peer-reviewed publications developed by independent experts, which may include physicians, with expertise applicable to the relevant health condition.
(b) A multidisciplinary panel of experts composed of physicians and, as necessary, other health care providers that develops and endorses clinical practice guidelines under Subsection (a)(1) must manage conflicts of interest by:
(1) requiring each member of the panel’s writing or review group to:
(A) disclose any potential conflict of interest, including a conflict of interest involving an insurer, health benefit plan issuer, or pharmaceutical manufacturer; and
(B) recuse himself or herself in any situation in which the member has a conflict of interest;
(2) using a methodologist to work with writing groups to provide objectivity in data analysis and the ranking of evidence by preparing evidence tables and facilitating consensus; and
(3) offering an opportunity for public review and comment.

(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to a panel or committee of experts, including a pharmacy and therapeutics committee, established by a health benefit plan issuer or a pharmacy benefit manager that advises the health benefit plan issuer or pharmacy benefit manager regarding drugs or formularies.