The Pain Relief Parity Act aims to ensure equitable treatment of non-opioid pain relief medications within the Arkansas Medicaid Program. The act mandates that the Department of Human Services must not disadvantage or discourage the coverage of non-opioid drugs that are FDA-approved and lack a therapeutic equivalent for pain management when compared to opioid or narcotic drugs. This includes prohibiting the designation of non-opioid drugs as non-preferred if any opioid or narcotic is preferred, as well as preventing the imposition of more stringent utilization controls, such as prior authorization or step therapy, on non-opioid drugs compared to their opioid counterparts.

The bill introduces new legal language to the Arkansas Code, specifically adding a section that outlines these requirements for pain relief parity. This legislative change is intended to promote the use of non-opioid alternatives in pain management, thereby addressing concerns related to opioid dependency and enhancing patient care options within the Medicaid framework.