RS 22:1060.7: Prescription medication for pain

A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, when a licensed physician prescribes a nonopioid medication for the treatment of chronic pain, it shall be unlawful for a health insurance issuer to deny coverage of the nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug.

B. When an opioid prescription is deemed medically necessary and prescribed by a licensed physician, it shall be unlawful for an insurer to deny a prescribed medication and attempt to substitute an alternative medication that requires any of the following:

(1) An increased number of pills per prescription.

(2) A higher Drug Enforcement Administration schedule medication than the one prescribed.

(3) The substitution of an immediate or extended release medication that does not have defined abuse deterrent properties for a prescription of a medication that does have defined abuse deterrent properties.