The proposed bill establishes new provisions regarding the coverage of nonopioid prescription drugs by health insurance policies in South Dakota. It mandates that health insurers cannot deny coverage for nonopioid drugs when prescribed by a licensed physician for pain treatment, ensuring that these alternatives are accessible to patients. Additionally, the bill prohibits health insurers from imposing prior authorization, step therapy, or other utilization controls on nonopioid drugs that are more restrictive than those applied to opioid or narcotic drugs.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that if a health insurer uses a formulary that categorizes prescription drugs into tiers for cost-sharing purposes, nonopioid drugs cannot be placed in a tier with higher cost-sharing responsibilities than the lowest tier for any opioid or narcotic drug. This aims to promote the use of nonopioid medications by making them more financially accessible compared to their opioid counterparts.