SB427 Summary

• Prohibits health benefit plans executed or renewed in Alabama from requiring covered individuals to first use non-abuse-deterrent opioid analgesics before covering abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs.

• Bans health insurers and government programs from creating disincentives for prescribers or dispensers to discourage prescribing or dispensing of abuse-deterrent opioid products.

• Allows health insurers and government programs to continue using utilization review and prior authorization for abuse-deterrent opioids, provided the same requirements apply equally to all opioid analgesic drugs.

• Applies to individual and group health benefit plans, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, and other entities that process health claims for Alabama residents.

• Becomes effective January 1, 2016.