Bill > HB1966

This bill creates new provisions in Missouri state law requiring health benefit plans to cover alternative (non-opioid) prescription medications for acute pain without discriminatory practices. Specifically, the bill prohibits health insurance plans from denying coverage of a non-opioid prescription drug, requiring patients to try an opioid drug first, or charging higher cost-sharing for non-opioid medications compared to opioid medications when a licensed healthcare professional prescribes the non-opioid drug for acute pain. The bill defines "acute pain" as pain expected to last 30 days or fewer and uses existing definitions for terms like "enrollee" and "health benefit plan" from Missouri statutes. The provisions will apply to health benefit plans delivered, issued, continued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, giving insurance companies several years to adapt to the new requirements. The goal appears to be providing patients with more options for pain treatment and reducing potential over-reliance on opioid medications.

Health and Social Services

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1966&year=2026&code=R