HB241 Relative to health insurance coverage of pain management services for the management of chronic pain.
Relative to health insurance coverage of pain management services for the management of chronic pain.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Insurance premiums may increase due to expanded coverage of pain management services, though the magnitude is indeterminable; residents with chronic pain could see reduced out-of-pocket costs if services avoid prior authorization.
Your Community
Counties and municipalities purchasing health insurance may face higher premiums, but broader access to evidence-based pain therapies could reduce opioid-related harms and healthcare burden.
Your Freedom
Chronic pain patients gain meaningful access to a broader range of treatment options without prior authorization barriers, and providers of complementary therapies gain equal evidence-based standing with conventional providers.
Status
Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 282; eff. I. Sec 2+3 eff as prov sec 4 II. Rem eff 1/1/2027
Sponsor
David Nagel (R)
The Short Version
This bill requires health insurers to develop comprehensive chronic pain management programs covering non-opioid treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage, while limiting prior authorization requirements for these services. The intent is to expand access to pain management alternatives to reduce opioid dependence, though the fiscal impact on insurance premiums is uncertain.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Individuals with chronic pain conditions seeking non-opioid treatment alternatives
- ▲ Practitioners of acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, and movement therapies
- ▲ NH residents whose chronic pain management was previously constrained by insurance barriers or opioid-restrictive policies
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Health insurance carriers (increased administrative compliance and program costs)
- ▼ All insured NH residents (through potential premium increases from expanded coverage)
- ▼ County and municipal governments that self-insure or purchase health insurance
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.