Requires health benefits coverage for buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone for pain treatment without step therapy or fail-first protocols.

This bill requires all health insurers in New Jersey (including health plans, HMOs, and state-sponsored programs) to cover buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone for pain treatment without requiring patients to first try other medications. It prohibits "step therapy" or "fail-first" protocols - common insurer practices that force patients to attempt riskier, more addictive pain treatments before accessing these less addictive options. The law applies to all covered health plans issued or renewed in New Jersey on or after its effective date. This directly affects patients seeking pain management and insurers who must adjust their coverage policies.