Bill > SB902

This bill requires health insurance plans to provide equal coverage for non-opioid pain medications as an alternative to opioid drugs when treating acute pain (defined as pain expected to last 30 days or fewer). Specifically, health benefit plans will be prohibited from denying coverage for a non-opioid prescription, requiring patients to first try an opioid medication before covering a non-opioid alternative, or charging higher cost-sharing for non-opioid prescriptions compared to opioid medications. The law defines key terms such as "health care professional" and "enrollee" by referencing existing state statutes, and will apply to all health benefit plans delivered, issued, continued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. The purpose of the bill appears to be providing patients and healthcare professionals more flexibility in pain management while potentially helping to address opioid overuse by ensuring non-opioid alternatives are financially accessible.

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https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=310