Requires Medicaid preferred drug lists to provide for coverage of buprenorphine for treatment of chronic pain.

This bill requires New Jersey Medicaid programs to cover buprenorphine for treating chronic pain without requiring patients to try other medications first (no "step therapy"). It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic pain - defined as pain lasting more than three months - and applies to both state Medicaid and contracted managed care organizations. The law mandates that preferred drug lists must include buprenorphine coverage when prescribed by a licensed provider, removing prior authorization barriers for this treatment. The policy change aims to improve access to a specific pain management option under Medicaid.