S1265: Pain-Treating Drugs

Legislative Summary

Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 44-53-2000 So As To Provide Definitions For "healthcare Practitioner" And "non-opioid Treatment"; By Adding Section 44-53-2010 So As To Provide That Healthy Connections Medicaid May Adopt Or Amend A State Preferred Drug List And Shall Ensure That No Non-opioid Drug Approved By The United States Food And Drug Administration For The Treatment Or Management Of Pain Is Disadvantaged Or Discouraged; By Adding Section 44-53-2020 So As To Provide That A Managed Care Organization Or Other Health Insurance Issuer Shall Not Deny Coverage Of The Non-opioid Prescription Drug In Favor Of An Opioid Prescription Drug; By Adding Section 44-53-2030 So As To Provide That The Department Of Health Shall Develop And Publish An Educational Pamphlet Regarding The Use Of Non-opioid Alternatives For Pain Treatment; By Adding Section 44-53-2040 So As To Provide That, Except In The Provision Of Emergency Services And Care Before Providing Anesthesia, Prior To Prescribing, Ordering, Dispensing, Or Administering An Opioid Drug Listed As A Schedule Ii Controlled Substance For The Treatment Of Pain, A Healthcare Practitioner Shall Inform The Patient Of Available Non-opioid Alternatives, Discuss The Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Use Of Non-opioid Alternatives, And Provide The Patient With The Educational Pamphlet And Document The Non-opioid Alternatives Considered In The Patient"s Record.