The bill aims to enhance health insurance coverage for nonopioid prescription drugs used in the treatment of pain. It prohibits health insurers from requiring cost-sharing for nonopioid medications or offering less favorable coverage compared to opioid or narcotic drugs. Specifically, when a prescriber recommends a nonopioid medication for acute pain, insurers cannot deny coverage in favor of opioids or mandate that patients try opioids before covering nonopioid prescriptions.

Additionally, the bill mandates that health insurers must ensure that nonopioid drugs approved by the FDA for pain management are not disadvantaged in terms of coverage or cost-sharing compared to opioids. This includes prohibiting more restrictive coverage criteria, utilization controls, or cost-sharing tiers for nonopioid drugs relative to opioids. The legislation is designed to promote the use of nonopioid alternatives in pain management, thereby addressing concerns related to opioid dependency and misuse.