The proposed bill amends the Michigan Insurance Code of 1956 by adding Section 3406ll, which mandates that insurers providing health insurance policies covering prescription drugs must include coverage for non-opioid analgesic drugs prescribed for pain management. Insurers are required to add these drugs to their preferred drug list or plan formulary within 90 days of FDA approval and availability for retail sale. The bill also stipulates that insurers cannot use their review processes to delay or deny coverage for these drugs, ensuring that they are not disadvantaged compared to opioid analgesics in terms of coverage.

Additionally, the bill outlines that insurers must not impose more restrictive utilization review measures, such as prior authorization or step therapy, on non-opioid analgesics than those applied to opioid analgesics. However, it allows insurers to prefer one drug over another within the same category, whether it be an opioid or a non-opioid analgesic. This legislation aims to promote the use of non-opioid pain management options while ensuring equitable treatment in insurance coverage.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 500.100, 500.8302