South Dakota House Bill HB1137

South Dakota 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/25
• Refer: 1/30/25

Caption

Establish provisions related to the treatment of pain with non-opioid drugs.

Impact

The impact of HB1137 is significant as it alters state regulations regarding pain management treatments covered by health insurance policies. Health insurers and self-funded employee benefit plans are mandated to not disadvantage non-opioid drugs on their formularies relative to opioids. This provision is essential for encouraging healthcare providers to prescribe non-opioid medications as first-line treatments for pain management without facing additional barriers from insurance policies.

Summary

House Bill 1137 aims to establish provisions related to the treatment of pain using non-opioid drugs in South Dakota. The bill specifies that the Department of Social Services must create a preferred drug list for the medical assistance program that ensures non-opioid drugs approved by the FDA for pain management are treated equitably in terms of coverage when compared to opioid drugs. This regulation reflects a growing concern over the opioid crisis and aims to promote safer alternatives for pain management.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise regarding how effectively this bill can shift the prescribing practices within the medical community, especially against the backdrop of existing biases towards opioid prescriptions in pain management. Additionally, concerns might surface regarding the financial implications for insurance companies who would have to adjust their formularies and possibly increase coverage availability for non-opioid medications, challenging their standard practices. Overall, while the bill is positioned as a move towards addressing the opioid crisis, it may face scrutiny about its practical implementation and compliance by insurers and healthcare providers.