This bill changes Medicare Part D rules to make certain non-opioid pain management drugs easier to get and cheaper for beneficiaries. It also stops plans from requiring opioids first or prior approvals for these drugs.
Alternatives to Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act or the Alternatives to PAIN Act This bill reduces cost-sharing and prohibits the imposition of certain utilization requirements under the Medicare prescription drug benefit for certain non-opioid pain management drugs. Specifically, the bill requires such drugs to be covered without a deductible and to be placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier (if any). The bill also prohibits the imposition of prior authorization requirements (i. e., requiring prior approval from a plan) or step therapy requirements (i. e., requiring the use of alternative drugs before a drug is covered under a plan) with respect to such drugs.
