CO SB006

Health insurance carriers must apply utilization review requirements (prior authorization, step therapy) for FDA-approved non-opioid pain management drugs that are no more restrictive than requirements for opioid drugs treating the same conditions

Carriers must ensure at least one clinically appropriate non-opioid prescription drug is available as an alternative for each opioid prescription drug

Cost-sharing, copayments, and deductibles for non-opioid pain management drugs cannot exceed those for opioid drugs prescribed for chronic or acute pain

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing must apply the same utilization review parity requirements to Medicaid fee-for-service plans and HMOs contracting with the state

Effective date is August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition is filed