The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri prohibits health plans from denying or charging more for nonopioid pain drugs over opioids
Last action · February 24, 2026: Voted Do Pass S Insurance and Banking CommitteeSponsor: Mike Henderson
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What This Bill Would Do
Health benefit plans in Missouri are prohibited from denying coverage for prescribed nonopioid prescription drugs in favor of opioids, requiring patients to try opioids first, or charging higher copays for nonopioids starting January 1, 2027.
Patients prescribed nonopioid alternatives for acute pain will have equal cost and access protections compared to opioid medications under covered health plans.
- Senate Bill 902 was introduced during the Second Regular Session of the 103rd General Assembly of Missouri. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
enrollee
Enrollees prescribed nonopioid drugs for acute pain gain guaranteed coverage parity and protection against mandatory opioid step therapy or higher copays.
health benefit plan
Health benefit plans must alter their drug formularies and coverage policies to eliminate higher cost-sharing, step therapy, and coverage denials for nonopioid alternatives.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my health plan force me to try an opioid before approving a nonopioid pain medication?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
5 actions- Feb 24, 2026SenateCommitteeVoted Do Pass S Insurance and Banking Committee
- Feb 10, 2026SenateHearing Conducted S Insurance and Banking Committee
- Jan 8, 2026SenateFloorSecond Read and Referred S Insurance and Banking Committee
- Jan 7, 2026SenateIntroducedS First Read
- Dec 1, 2025SenatePrefiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. The text on record is the 4240S.01I - Introduced version. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.senate.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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