Pain-Treating Drugs

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-2000 SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR "HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONER" AND "NON-OPIOID TREATMENT"; BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-2010 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT HEALTHY CONNECTIONS MEDICAID MAY ADOPT OR AMEND A STATE PREFERRED DRUG LIST AND SHALL ENSURE THAT NO NON-OPIOID DRUG APPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION FOR THE TREATMENT OR MANAGEMENT OF PAIN IS DISADVANTAGED OR DISCOURAGED; BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-2020 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATION OR OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE ISSUER SHALL NOT DENY COVERAGE OF THE NON-OPIOID PRESCRIPTION DRUG IN FAVOR OF AN OPIOID PRESCRIPTION DRUG; BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-2030 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL DEVELOP AND PUBLISH AN EDUCATIONAL PAMPHLET REGARDING THE USE OF NON-OPIOID ALTERNATIVES FOR PAIN TREATMENT; BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-2040 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, EXCEPT IN THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND CARE BEFORE PROVIDING ANESTHESIA, PRIOR TO PRESCRIBING, ORDERING, DISPENSING, OR ADMINISTERING AN OPIOID DRUG LISTED AS A SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PAIN, A HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONER SHALL INFORM THE PATIENT OF AVAILABLE NON-OPIOID ALTERNATIVES, DISCUSS THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE USE OF NON-OPIOID ALTERNATIVES, AND PROVIDE THE PATIENT WITH THE EDUCATIONAL PAMPHLET AND DOCUMENT THE NON-OPIOID ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN THE PATIENT"S RECORD.