The bill aims to promote the use of nonopioid drugs for pain management by prohibiting health plans and managed care organizations from implementing practices that disadvantage or discourage these alternatives compared to opioid or narcotic drugs. Specifically, starting January 1, 2026, health plans cannot designate nonopioid drugs as nonpreferred if any opioid is preferred, nor can they impose more restrictive prescription drug utilization management practices, such as prior authorization or step therapy, on nonopioid drugs than those applied to opioids. The bill also defines "nonopioid drug" and aligns terminology with existing laws regarding prescription drug utilization management.

Additionally, the bill mandates the development of an educational pamphlet by the Department of Health by January 1, 2026, which will provide information on nonopioid alternatives for pain treatment, including their advantages and disadvantages. The bill amends existing law to incorporate these new sections and definitions, ensuring that the updated regulations are consistent across various health care frameworks.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 48.43.400