NJ A4550

Health insurers in New Jersey must cover buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone prescriptions for pain treatment without requiring step therapy or fail-first protocols

Applies to all major insurance types including hospital, medical, and health service corporations; individual and group policies; HMOs; small employer health benefits plans; and State and School Employees' Health Benefits Programs

Coverage requirements apply to contracts delivered, issued, executed, or renewed after the effective date where the insurer has reserved the right to change premiums

Takes effect 90 days after enactment

Intended to remove barriers that currently require patients to try riskier, more addictive pain medications before accessing buprenorphine-based treatments, which have lower abuse potential