Bill > HB2642

This bill, which will take effect on January 1, 2027, aims to ensure that insurance plans, referred to as "health benefit plans," provide adequate coverage for non-opioid pain relief medications. It defines "acute pain" as pain lasting thirty days or less, and "chronic pain" as pain persisting for more than twelve weeks, often beyond the expected healing period. The bill prohibits health benefit plans from denying coverage for a non-opioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid drug, requiring enrollees to try an opioid drug before covering a non-opioid option, or imposing higher out-of-pocket costs, known as "cost-sharing," for non-opioid medications compared to opioid medications when prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional for acute or chronic pain.