House Bill 1389 Summary

• Requires all health benefit plans to develop comprehensive pain management plans that include coverage of at least two FDA-approved nonopioid prescription medications and at least three nonpharmacologic treatment modalities as alternatives to opioid drugs, effective July 1, 2025.

• Prohibits health benefit plans from imposing utilization controls (prior authorization, step therapy) on FDA-approved nonopioid pain medications that are more restrictive than those applied to opioid drugs for pain treatment.

• Amends Mississippi Medicaid law to ensure nonopioid drugs approved by FDA for pain management cannot be disadvantaged on the mandatory preferred drug list compared to opioid or narcotic drugs, including restrictions on non-preferred designations and utilization controls.

• Requires health benefit plans to file pain management plans with the Department of Insurance for approval and annually distribute educational materials to providers and members about the plans.

• Applies to all individual and group health insurance policies, service contracts, HMOs, self-insured arrangements, and managed care entities delivering coverage to Mississippi residents.