§ 24-A §4311-A — Access to pain management services

1.
Access to pain management services.
A carrier shall develop a plan to provide adequate coverage of and access to a broad spectrum of pain management services, including, but not limited to, nonopioid, nonnarcotic medication for pain management and nonmedication pain management services that serve as alternatives to the prescribing of opioid or narcotic drugs in accordance with guidelines developed by the bureau.
2.
Approval by bureau.
A carrier shall file a plan required under subsection 1 with the bureau for approval. In its review, the bureau shall consider the adequacy of access to a broad spectrum of pain management services under the plan and whether any policies adopted by the carrier may create unduly preferential coverage of and access to prescribed opioids for pain management without consideration of other pain management services.
3.
Information for enrollees.
A carrier shall distribute educational materials to network providers about a pain management access plan under subsection 1 and post information about the pain management access plan on the carrier's publicly accessible website.

Legislative History

PL 2023, c. 661, §1 (NEW).