IL HB5355

Department of Public Health shall develop and publish an educational pamphlet on nonopioid alternatives for treating acute nonoperative, acute perioperative, subacute, and chronic pain, conforming to current CDC Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids.

Pamphlet must include information on available nonopioid medicinal drugs and nonpharmacological therapies, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of nonopioid alternatives.

Health insurance issuers are prohibited from denying coverage of nonopioid medications prescribed for acute pain in favor of opioids or requiring patients to try opioids first.

Health insurance formularies cannot disadvantage FDA-approved nonopioid pain medications through more restrictive coverage criteria, more extensive utilization controls, prior authorization requirements, or higher cost-sharing tiers compared to opioid drugs.

Illinois Medicaid must ensure FDA-approved nonopioid drugs on its Preferred Drug List are not disadvantaged in coverage relative to opioid or narcotic drugs for pain treatment or management.