MO SB902

Health benefit plans are prohibited from denying coverage of nonopioid medications prescribed for acute pain treatment in favor of opioid drugs

Insurers cannot require enrollees to try an opioid prescription drug first before covering a nonopioid alternative (step therapy prohibition)

Cost-sharing for nonopioid pain medications cannot be set higher than cost-sharing for opioid prescriptions

Acute pain is defined as pain expected to last 30 days or fewer, resulting from disease, trauma, or other causes

Requirements apply to health benefit plans delivered, issued, continued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027