SF1946

This bill, Minnesota Senate File No. 1946, proposes a new law requiring health insurance plans to cover nonopioid and nonpharmacologic pain management options. The key provisions include:

1. Coverage Requirements:

   • Health plans must cover alternatives to opioids for pain treatment, including:
     • At least two FDA-approved nonopioid prescription drugs (excluding Schedule I, II, or III controlled substances).
     • At least three nonpharmacologic, nonoperative treatments for pain management.

2. Prohibitions:

   • Health plans cannot prioritize coverage for opioids over nonopioid alternatives.
   • Utilization controls (e.g., prior authorization or step therapy) for nonopioid prescription drugs must not be more restrictive than those applied to opioids.

3. Educational Requirements:

   • Health insurers must annually distribute educational materials to in-network providers and enrollees about nonopioid pain management options.
   • These materials must also be publicly available on the company's website.

The bill is aimed at promoting safer pain management alternatives and reducing reliance on opioids in Minnesota.