MS SB2388

Requires Mississippi's Division of Medicaid to ensure nonopioid pain medications approved by the FDA are not disadvantaged relative to opioid or narcotic pain drugs on the preferred drug list.

Prohibits designating nonopioid pain drugs as nonpreferred if any opioid is preferred, and prevents more restrictive prior authorization or step therapy requirements for nonopioids than for opioids.

Requires the same parity protections for nonstatin cardiovascular medications with unique indications to reduce major cardiovascular events in primary and secondary prevention patients.

Applies parity requirements immediately upon FDA approval of qualifying drugs and extends protections to drugs provided through managed care organization contracts with Medicaid.

Takes effect July 1, 2025.