MA S863

Prohibits MassHealth and contracted insurers from disadvantaging FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications compared to opioids, including through less favorable formulary placement or more restrictive prior authorization requirements

Requires Medicaid managed care organizations to provide comprehensive chronic pain care including primary care, specialists (pain management, neurology, rheumatology), and alternative providers (physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, psychologists, massage therapists)

Mandates implementation of a chronic pain quality strategy by fiscal year 2026, including identification of chronic pain patients within 90 days of enrollment and provider training on multidisciplinary pain treatment

Requires the Center for Health Information and Analysis to collect data on chronic pain incidence, prevalence, demographics, risk factors, treatment costs, and effectiveness of evidence-based treatments

Establishes biennial reporting on chronic pain conditions in Massachusetts, beginning 2 years after enactment, including analysis of data gaps and recommendations