New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey A1821: Nonopioid prescription drugs-proh health insurance carrier from denying coverage
Status: Passed one chamber, October 29, 2026
Prohibits health insurance carriers from denying coverage of nonopioid prescription drugs in favor of opioid prescription drugs.
What the bill says
An Act concerning nonopioid medication and supplementing various parts of the statutory law.
From the introduced text, January 13, 2026:
An Act concerning nonopioid medication and supplementing various parts of the statutory law. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. a. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, when a licensed health care provider prescribes a nonopioid medication to a covered person for the treatment of acute pain, it shall be unlawful for a carrier to deny coverage of a nonopioid prescription drug: (1) in favor of an opioid prescription drug; or (2) to require a covered person to try an opioid prescription drug prior to approving the use of a nonopioid prescription drug. b. If a carrier establishes and maintains a drug formulary, the carrier shall ensure that a nonopioid drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment or management of pain will not be disadvantaged or discouraged, with respect to coverage or cost-sharing, relative to any opioid or narcotic drug for the treatment or management of pain on the formulary of the carrier, where impermissible disadvantaging or discouragement includes, without limitation: (1) imposing more restrictive coverage criteria on any nonopioid drug than the least restrictive criteria imposed on an opioid or narcotic drug; (2) establishing more restrictive or more extensive utilization controls, including, but not limited to, more restrictive or more extensive …
Sponsors
- Anthony S. Verrelli (D, 15) · primary sponsor
- Margie Donlon, M.D. (D, 11) · primary sponsor
- Carol A. Murphy (D, 7) · primary sponsor
- Mitchelle Drulis (D, 16)
- Roy Freiman (D, 16)
- Ellen J. Park (D, 37)
- Sterley S. Stanley (D, 18)
- Annette Quijano (D, 20)
- Katie Brennan (D, 32)
- Robert J. Karabinchak (D, 18)
- Rosaura Bagolie (D, 27)
- Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D, 15)
Latest actions
- : PA (75-0-1)
- : REP 2RA
- : REP REF AAP
- : INT 1RA REF AFI
Votes
- 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Nonopioid prescription drugs-proh health insurance carrier from denying coverage (October 29, 2026): 75 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Assembly Appropriations Committee: Reported favorably (June 23, 2026): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee: Reported favorably (May 14, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH - PHARMACEUTICALS, INSURANCE - HEALTH INSURANCE
Common questions
- What is A1821?
- A1821 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Nonopioid prescription drugs-proh health insurance carrier from denying coverage.
- What does A1821 do?
- In its own words: An Act concerning nonopioid medication and supplementing various parts of the statutory law.
- What is the status of A1821?
- Passed one chamber as of October 29, 2026. Latest action: PA (75-0-1) (October 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored A1821?
- Anthony S. Verrelli (D, 15), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A1821?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1821
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.