More states are requiring insurers to cover non-opioid pain meds

By: Nada Hassanein

Outlets: Stateline

Published: February 13, 2026

Words: 1,159

Last Updated: 1 week, 1 day ago

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More states are requiring their Medicaid programs and health insurance companies to cover non-opioid pain medications as an alternative to opioids, which can be cheaper for insurers but also more addictive for patients.

Advocates, providers, medical associations and state lawmakers are pushing for parity in coverage. That means prohibiting insurers from charging higher copayments for non-opioids than they do for opioids, and barring them from requiring prior authorization or step therapy — mandating that patients …

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