SF 1946

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 02/28/2025 10:10 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to health insurance; requiring health plans to provide coverage for
nonopioid and nonpharmacologic pain management; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62Q.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [62Q.474] TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF PAIN.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Requirement. new text end

new text begin (a) A health plan must provide coverage for alternatives
to the prescription of opioids to treat and manage pain, including but not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) prescribing nonopioid drugs; and
new text end

new text begin (2) providing nonpharmacologic, nonoperative modalities.
new text end

new text begin (b) A health plan must provide coverage for a minimum of two alternative prescription
drugs approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration to treat and manage pain that
are not Schedule I, II, or III controlled substances.
new text end

new text begin (c) A health plan must provide coverage for a minimum of three alternative
nonpharmacologic, nonoperative modalities to treat and manage pain.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Prohibition. new text end

new text begin (a) A health plan is prohibited from providing preferential coverage
for and access to opioids.
new text end

new text begin (b) A health plan is prohibited from establishing utilization controls, including but not
limited to prior authorization or step therapy requirements, for clinically appropriate
nonopioid prescription drugs approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration to
treat and manage pain that are more restrictive or extensive than the least restrictive or
extensive utilization controls applicable to any clinically appropriate opioid drug.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Educational materials. new text end

new text begin A health plan company must annually distribute
educational materials to in-network health care providers and enrollees regarding access to
the pain treatment and management options described in subdivision 1 and must make the
educational materials and information publicly available on the health plan company's
website.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2026, and applies to health
plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.
new text end