Nonopioid and nonpharmacologic pain management coverage provided by health plans requirement provision
This bill requires Minnesota health insurance plans to cover nonopioid pain management options, including at least two FDA-approved non-opioid drugs (not Schedule I-III controlled substances) and three non-drug, nonoperative treatments like physical therapy. It prohibits health plans from favoring opioid coverage or applying stricter rules for nonopioid drugs than for opioids. Health plans must also provide annual educational materials to providers and enrollees about these pain management options. The requirements take effect January 1, 2026, for all health plans offered, issued, or renewed after that date.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025
Last action Mar 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduction
→
1st Engrossment
·
3 edits
·
Mar 9, 2026
MINOR
The bill was updated from its initial introduction to its first engrossment version, reflecting a significant reduction in the specific coverage requirements for pain management. The detailed list of required nonopioid drugs and nonpharmacologic modalities was removed in favor of a more general mandate, and the effective date was delayed by one year.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed by removing specific quantitative mandates (minimum of two drugs and three modalities) and replacing them with a broader requirement to cover alternatives, while also adding a condition that coverage depends on the availability of approved drugs.
REQUIREMENT
Specific mandates requiring a minimum of two FDA-approved nonopioid drugs and three nonpharmacologic modalities were removed and replaced with a general requirement to cover nonopioid prescription drugs.
A new condition was added stating that coverage for alternative prescription drugs is only required if those approved drugs are actually available.
TIMELINE
The effective date for the new coverage requirements was delayed from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027.
Floor votes
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Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Health and Human Services
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to Commerce and Consumer Protection
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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