New Law for Dispensing Opioids Affects Pharmacies and Health Insurance Plans

Ohio Senate Bill 319, passed in 2017 and now law, affects pharmacies and health insurance plans regarding the dispensing of opioid analgesics. The law required that utilization management policies be created (prior authorization) for morphine-equivalent doses exceeding 80mg/day or if patients are on an opioid with benzodiazepine. Prior authorization also is required for chronic opioid use more than 90 days. Excluded from this requirement are: hospice patients, patients with terminal conditions, and patients with or with a history of cancer.

Physicians and Pharmacists should be familiar with this law, as it may create delays for patients filling their opioid medication, as prior authorization processes will need to be completed. 

Back to the February 2018 issue of Premier Pulse