HB1389: Nonopioid drugs for pain management; require health plans and Medicaid to cover and not make use of more restrictive than for opioid drugs.

Legislative Summary

An Act To Require All Health Benefit Plans To Develop A Plan To Provide Adequate Coverage And Access To A Broad Spectrum Of Pain Management Services, Including Nonopioid Medicinal Drugs Or Drug Products For The Treatment Or Management Of Pain, And Nonpharmacologic, Nonoperative Pain Management Modalities, That Serve As Alternatives To The Prescribing Of Opioid Drugs; To Require Health Benefits Plans To Provide Coverage Of At Least Two Alternative Prescription Medication Treatment Options Approved By The United States Food And Drug Administration (fda) For The Treatment Of Pain And At Least Three Alternative Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities; To Prohibit Health Benefits Plans From Establishing Utilization Controls, Including Prior Authorization Or Step Therapy Requirements, For Clinically Appropriate Nonopioid Medicinal Drugs Or Drug Products Approved By The Fda For The Treatment Or Management Of Pain, That Are More Restrictive Or Extensive Than The Least Restrictive Or Extensive Utilization Controls Applicable To Any Clinically Appropriate Opioid Drug; To Amend Section 43-13-117, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require The Division Of Medicaid, In Establishing And Maintaining A Mandatory Preferred Drug List, To Ensure That No Nonopioid Drug Approved By The Fda For The Treatment Or Management Of Pain Will Be Disadvantaged Or Discouraged With Respect To Coverage Relative To Any Opioid Or Narcotic Drug For The Treatment Or Management Of Pain On Such Preferred Drug List; And For Related Purposes.