KS HB2364

Prohibits health insurers from denying coverage of nonopioid pain medications in favor of opioids or requiring patients to try opioids first before covering nonopioid alternatives

Applies to Kansas Medicaid, the state children's health insurance program (CHIP), and the state employee health benefits plan, including their managed care organizations

Requires that FDA-approved nonopioid pain drugs receive coverage and cost-sharing terms at least as favorable as opioid/narcotic drugs on the insurer's formulary

Bans placing nonopioid pain drugs on higher cost-sharing tiers than opioids, and prohibits more restrictive prior authorization or step therapy requirements for nonopioids compared to opioids

Permits insurers to prefer certain opioids over other opioids and certain nonopioids over other nonopioids within each drug category