TN HB0037

Insurers offering group insurance plans for state employees must ensure FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications are not disadvantaged or discouraged in coverage compared to opioid or narcotic drugs on preferred drug lists (PDLs)

Non-opioid treatments are defined as drugs or biological products that produce pain relief without acting on the body's opioid receptors

The requirement applies to non-opioid drugs that have been FDA-approved for pain treatment or management for at least nine months, regardless of whether the insurer has reviewed the drug for PDL inclusion

Insurers may still prefer certain opioid medications over other opioids, or certain non-opioid medications over other non-opioids

Takes effect January 1, 2026