Enacts new GS 58-50-305 to require that if a health benefit plan provides coverage for prescription drugs, it must provide comparable coverage for opioid analgesic drugs whether they are abuse-deterrent (i.e., label indicating that the drug is expected to result in a meaningful reduction in abuse) or non-abuse-deterrent. Places a cap on cost sharing for these abuse-deterrent analgesics and prohibits plans from making certain changes to achieve compliance.

Prohibits plans from requiring an insured to use a non-abuse-deterrent analgesic before using an abuse-deterrent one. Provides that prior authorization requirements are allowed for both types of analgesics as long as the requirements are comparable. Effective October 1, 2015, and applies to contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.