Bill > SB0428

This bill amends Tennessee's insurance regulations to address how group insurance plans for state employees handle pain treatments, specifically focusing on ensuring fair coverage for non-opioid medications. The bill defines key terms such as "non-opioid treatment" (a pain medication that works without using opioid receptors) and establishes rules for insurers when creating their Preferred Drug List (PDL). Specifically, the bill requires insurers to ensure that non-opioid drugs approved by the FDA for pain treatment are not disadvantaged or discouraged compared to opioid medications when determining drug coverage. The requirement applies to non-opioid drugs that have been FDA-approved for pain treatment for nine months or longer, regardless of whether the insurer has formally reviewed the drug for inclusion on their PDL. The bill also allows insurers to prefer certain medications within the opioid and non-opioid categories, just not to the wholesale exclusion of alternative treatments. The legislation will take effect on January 1, 2026, and aims to provide state employees with more balanced and comprehensive pain treatment options through their group insurance plans.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0428&ga=114