; and (B) such drug shall be placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier, if any, for purposes of determining the maximum co-insurance or other cost-sharing for such drug. . 3. Prohibition on the use of step therapy and prior authorization for qualifying non-opioid pain management drugs under medicare part d Section 1860D–4 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–104 ) is amended in subsection (c) by adding at the end the following paragraph: (7) Prohibition on use of step therapy and prior authorization for qualifying non-opioid pain management drugs (A) In general A prescription drug plan may not, with respect to a qualifying non-opioid pain management drug for which coverage is provided under such plan, impose any— (i) step therapy requirement under which an individual enrolled under such plan is required to use an opioid prior to receiving such drug; or (ii) prior authorization requirement. (B) Step therapy In this paragraph, the term step therapy means a drug therapy utilization management protocol or program that requires use of an alternative, preferred prescription drug or drugs before the plan approves coverage for the non-preferred drug therapy prescribed. (C) Prior authorization In this paragraph, the term prior authorization means any requirement to obtain approval from a prescription drug plan prior to the furnishing of a drug. (D) Qualifying non-opioid pain management drugs In this paragraph, the term qualifying non-opioid pain management drug has the meaning given that term in section 1860D–2(b)(10)(B). . 4. Rule of construction Nothing in the amendments made by this Act may be construed to limit or interfere with the authority of a health care provider to prescribe or administer any legally marketed drug to a patient for any condition or disease within a legitimate health care practitioner-patient relationship.