Bill > A01815

This bill requires health insurance providers in New York to cover non-opioid pain management treatments across various types of health insurance policies, including individual, group, and medical expense indemnity plans. The bill defines "non-opioid treatments utilized for pain management" as two primary categories: first, drugs or biological products that can produce pain relief without using opioid receptors and have demonstrated the ability to reduce or replace opioid use; and second, medical devices (implantable, reusable, or disposable) designed to manage pain and potentially decrease opioid consumption. The bill also allows insurers to apply standard annual deductibles and co-insurance to these treatments, as determined by the state superintendent. Additionally, the legislation requires the state's social services commissioner to establish standards and guidelines for these alternative pain management treatments under the medical assistance program, involving consultation with providers and other interested parties. The act will take effect 120 days after becoming law and will apply to all insurance policies issued, renewed, or modified after that date, representing a significant step toward addressing opioid use by promoting alternative pain management strategies.

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https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1815