HF1806

This bill, introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives, mandates that health insurance plans provide coverage for nonopioid and nonpharmacologic pain management options. Key provisions include:

1. Coverage Requirements: Health plans must cover:

   • Nonopioid prescription drugs for pain management (at least two FDA-approved alternatives that are not Schedule I, II, or III controlled substances).
   • Nonpharmacologic and nonoperative treatments (at least three alternative modalities).

2. Restrictions on Opioid Favoritism:

   • Health plans are prohibited from offering preferential coverage for opioids.
   • Plans cannot impose stricter utilization controls (such as prior authorization or step therapy) on nonopioid pain treatments than on opioid drugs.

3. Educational Outreach:

   • Health insurance companies must distribute educational materials to in-network providers and enrollees annually.
   • These materials must be made publicly available on the insurer’s website to ensure awareness of alternative pain management options.

The bill aims to reduce reliance on opioids by expanding access to alternative pain treatments through insurance coverage reforms.