2024 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 224
BY SENATOR OWEN
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 46:153.3.2, relative to opioid alternatives; to provide relative to coverage for
3 nonopioid and opioid prescription drugs by Medicaid managed care organizations;
4 to provide for duties of the Louisiana Department of Health; to require the
5 department to perform certain functions relative to opioid alternatives; and to provide
6 for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 46:153.3.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 ยง153.3.2. Medicaid prescription medication for chronic or acute pain; opioid
10 alternatives
11 A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a Medicaid
12 managed care organization shall not deny coverage of a nonopioid prescription
13 drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug when a licensed physician has
14 prescribed a nonopioid medication for the treatment of chronic or acute pain.
15 B. The department shall not establish more restrictive or more extensive
16 utilization controls, including but not limited to more restrictive or more
17 extensive prior authorization or step therapy requirements, for clinically
18 appropriate nonopioid drugs than the least restrictive or extensive utilization
19 controls applicable to any clinically appropriate opioid or narcotic drug.
20 C. The department shall:
21 (1) Provide education, awareness, and technical assistance on the
22 advantages of nonopioid alternative drugs.
23 (2) Collaborate with political subdivisions, nonprofit organizations, and
24 other state agencies to seek funding opportunities for educational and health
25 care services related to nonopioid alternatives.
26 (3) Assist, upon request, political subdivisions that receive opioid grant
ACT No. 320
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. 224 ENROLLED
1 awards as a result of any money obtained through a settlement or judgment by
2 the attorney general on behalf of this state related to opioid litigation involving
3 pharmaceutical supply chain participants.
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.