S.B. No. 154 Summary

• Establishes drug take-back programs allowing consumers to safely dispose of unused medications at retail pharmacies through secure lock boxes and kiosks supplied by manufacturers.

• Requires health insurers and Medicaid to cover medication-assisted treatment (including buprenorphine and naltrexone) for alcohol and drug addiction without prior authorization requirements.

• Mandates coverage of abuse-deterrent opioid analgesics without denying reimbursement based on cost or requiring non-abuse-deterrent treatment first.

• Appropriates $102 million for fiscal year 2018, including $100 million to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for opioid treatment programs and $2 million to the Department of Education for school-based opioid prevention initiatives.

• Establishes a reinsurance program administered by the Superintendent of Insurance to reimburse health plan issuers for costs of providing addiction treatment coverage.