Bill > H1134

This bill aims to improve access and care coordination for people experiencing chronic pain in Massachusetts by introducing three key provisions. First, the bill requires MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid) and its contracted health insurers to provide equal coverage for non-opioid pain medications, preventing them from being disadvantaged compared to opioid medications through tactics like less favorable drug list placement or more restrictive prior authorization requirements. Second, the bill mandates that the Division of Medical Assistance ensure comprehensive, integrated care for chronic pain patients enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations, including diverse treatment approaches like primary care, specialized medical services, social work support, and care coordination. The bill requires these organizations to develop a chronic pain quality strategy by fiscal year 2026, which includes timely identification of pain patients, building an adequate provider network, developing care coordination strategies, and providing training for primary care providers on multidisciplinary pain management. Lastly, the bill establishes a requirement for the state's health care center to collect and analyze comprehensive data on chronic pain, including its incidence, prevalence, demographics, risk factors, treatment costs, and effectiveness of treatment approaches, with a mandate to publish detailed reports every two years. The overall goal is to create a more holistic, patient-centered approach to managing chronic pain that goes beyond traditional medical treatments.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1134