Bill > HF1806

This bill requires health insurance plans in Minnesota to provide comprehensive coverage for alternative pain management approaches that do not rely on opioids. Specifically, health plans must cover at least two non-opioid prescription drugs approved by the FDA for pain treatment that are not classified as Schedule I, II, or III controlled substances, and must also cover a minimum of three nonpharmacologic, nonoperative pain management techniques. The bill prohibits health plans from giving preferential coverage to opioids and restricts them from imposing more stringent utilization controls (like prior authorization or step therapy requirements) on nonopioid pain medications compared to opioid drugs. Additionally, health plan companies must annually distribute educational materials to healthcare providers and enrollees about these alternative pain management options and make such information publicly available on their websites. The provisions will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply to health plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date, aiming to provide patients with safer and more diverse pain management alternatives while potentially helping to address the opioid epidemic.

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https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1806&ssn=0&y=2025