This bill mandates that health carriers develop a comprehensive program to provide access to a wide range of pain management services for individuals suffering from chronic pain. The program must adhere to guidelines set by the insurance department and include non-medication and non-surgical treatment options, as well as non-opioid medication alternatives. Health carriers are required to inform covered individuals about the program and ensure that this information is publicly accessible on their websites. Additionally, they must distribute educational materials to network providers annually. Notably, the bill prohibits health carriers from imposing prior authorization requirements for certain non-medication and non-surgical treatments, and it restricts the utilization controls for non-opioid drugs to be no more stringent than those for opioid drugs.

The bill also highlights the complexities surrounding the opioid crisis, emphasizing the need for improved access to non-opioid therapies and the elimination of barriers that have historically limited such access. It aims to create a more equitable standard for evaluating the evidence supporting various therapies, regardless of whether they are provided by allopathic or non-allopathic practitioners. The provisions of this act will take effect on January 1, 2027, and while the fiscal impact is currently indeterminable, there is potential for increased healthcare costs and insurance premiums as a result of expanded coverage requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 420-A:2, 420-B:20