Massachusetts Health Insurer To Cover Narcan
By State House News Service | September 5, 2023, 14:43 EDT
By Michael P. Norton
State House News Service
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts recently announced that it will cover the overdose reversal medication Narcan.
The insurer said its coverage of Narcan for over-the-counter, non-prescription use will involve no cost share to members in Massachusetts.
“Naloxone has become the standard treatment for opioid overdose and making it available more widely is a key strategy in controlling the overdose crisis,” said Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts chief medical officer Dr. Sandhya Rao. “Waiving out-of-pocket costs for this emergency medication aligns with our commitment to ensuring our members have access to the substance use disorder treatment they need, when they need it – especially critical as opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts continue to rise.”
Massachusetts experienced 2,357 confirmed and estimated fatal opioid-related overdoses in 2022, a new record high, according to Massachusetts Department of Public Health data published in June.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan for over-the-counter use in March.
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