Bill > HB0037

This bill addresses how insurers offering group insurance plans for state employees handle drug coverage, specifically focusing on pain treatment medications. The bill defines key terms like "non-opioid treatment" (a pain medication that doesn't work through opioid receptors) and establishes rules for creating a Preferred Drug List (PDL). Specifically, when insurers develop their PDL, they must ensure that non-opioid pain medications are not disadvantaged or discouraged compared to opioid medications. This means the insurer cannot create barriers that make non-opioid treatments less accessible or less attractive than opioid treatments. The requirement applies to non-opioid drugs that have been FDA-approved for pain treatment for at least nine months, regardless of whether the insurer has formally reviewed the drug for inclusion on the PDL. The bill aims to provide more equitable coverage for pain management treatments and potentially reduce reliance on opioid medications by ensuring non-opioid alternatives receive fair consideration. The provisions will take effect on January 1, 2026, giving insurers time to adjust their drug lists and coverage policies.