Limits the substitution of abuse-deterrent analgesic opioid drug products for analgesic opioids lacking such technology

This bill requires health insurance plans to cover at least one abuse-deterrent opioid pain medication for each active ingredient used to treat pain. It ensures patients pay no more for these abuse-deterrent options than for non-abuse-deterrent opioids (e.g., same copay level), and prohibits insurers from increasing patient costs or creating barriers to access these medications. The law also prevents prior authorization rules from forcing patients to try non-abuse-deterrent opioids first to get access to abuse-deterrent versions. It directly affects patients prescribed opioid pain medications and all health insurance plans operating in New York. The policy aims to improve access to medications designed to reduce opioid misuse without increasing out-of-pocket costs for patients.