Search Bills

provide for step therapy protocol regarding certain prescription drugs.

SB 155 adds new rules about "step therapy" — a practice where insurance companies require patients to try cheaper or less intensive drugs first before approving coverage for other medications. The bill amends South Dakota's health insurance regulations to establish a formal protocol for when and how insurers can impose these step therapy requirements on prescription drugs.

require certain health care professionals to recommend treatments alternative to opioids.

Before prescribing opioids for pain, South Dakota health care professionals must recommend or offer alternative treatments such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, or chronic pain management programs—based on what's clinically appropriate and available. The law doesn't require trying all alternatives first or prevent doctors from prescribing opioids alongside these other treatments.