This bill aims to amend the West Virginia Code to promote the use of non-opioid medications for pain management by prohibiting discrimination against these drugs in insurance coverage. It introduces new sections that define "nonopioid" drugs and establishes that the Public Employees Insurance Agency, the Bureau for Medical Services, and other insurers cannot disadvantage or discourage non-opioid medications compared to opioid drugs. Furthermore, it mandates that non-opioid drugs be placed in the lowest formulary tier, which is typically reserved for generic medications with the lowest copays, thereby making them more accessible for patients.

Additionally, the bill enhances the requirements for healthcare practitioners when prescribing opioids, including informing patients about non-opioid alternatives and documenting discussions regarding these options. It also emphasizes the importance of patient autonomy in health decisions, allowing individuals to refuse opioid prescriptions. The legislation includes provisions for utilization review, ensuring that existing practices for evaluating the necessity of prescribed medications remain intact. Overall, the bill seeks to encourage the use of non-opioid treatments and improve patient access to these alternatives in the context of pain management.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-54-3, 16-54-8, 5-16-7h, 9-5-33, 16-54-8a, 33-15-4y, 33-16-3ii, 33-24-7z, 33-25-8w, 33-25A-8w