MA H4934

MassHealth and contracted insurers must cover non-opioid pain medications without disadvantaging them relative to opioids, including prohibiting more restrictive prior authorization or step therapy requirements for non-opioid drugs

Medicaid managed care and accountable care organizations must provide comprehensive integrated care for chronic pain patients, including access to specialists (pain management, neurologists, rheumatologists) and treatment providers (physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, psychologists, massage therapists)

By January 1, 2027, Medicaid organizations must implement a chronic pain quality strategy requiring identification of members with chronic pain within 90 days of enrollment, adequate provider networks, care coordination, and provider training on multidisciplinary pain treatment

By January 1, 2026, the Division of Medical Assistance must identify and share best practices for chronic pain care management with Medicaid-enrolled providers

The Center for Health Information and Analysis must collect data on chronic pain incidence, prevalence, demographics, risk factors, treatment costs, and effectiveness, publishing a report within 2 years of enactment and every 2 years thereafter