2018 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 285
BY SENATORS GARY SMITH AND THOMPSON AND REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 22:1060.7, relative to prescriptions for chronic pain; to prohibit the denial of
3 coverage for a nonopioid prescription in favor of an opioid prescription; to provide
4 with respect to opioid prescriptions deemed medically necessary and prescribed by
5 a licensed physician; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 22:1060.7 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง1060.7. Prescription medication for chronic pain
9 A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, when a
10 licensed physician prescribes a nonopioid medication for the treatment of
11 chronic pain, it shall be unlawful for a health insurance issuer to deny coverage
12 of the nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug.
13 B. When an opioid prescription is deemed medically necessary and
14 prescribed by a licensed physician, it shall be unlawful for an insurer to deny
15 a prescribed medication and attempt to substitute an alternative medication
16 that requires any of the following:
17 (1) An increased number of pills per prescription.
18 (2) A higher Drug Enforcement Administration schedule medication
19 than the one prescribed.
20 (3) The substitution of an extended release medication that does not have
ACT No. 372
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 285 ENROLLED
1 defined abuse deterrent properties for a prescription of a medication that does
2 have defined abuse deterrent properties.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.