Vitale-Cryan Bill Would Facilitate Opioid Treatment for Medicaid Recipients

Measure Removing Prior Authorization Requirement for Medically Assisted Treatment Sent To Governor

Trenton – Legislation to provide critical opioid addiction treatment for patients covered under Medicaid was approved by the Senate today. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joe Vitale and Senator Joe Cryan, would remove the requirements for prior authorization, was approved with a vote of 38-0 and sent to the governor.

The requirement can have the unintended consequence of preventing timely access to treatment at the early, critical stage of recovery, Senator Vitale noted.

“Research and experience have shown that medication assisted treatment is an effective treatment for substance abuse disorders, including opioid addiction,” said Senator Joe Vitale, the chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “It can make the difference in the early, critical stages of breaking addiction and allowing those in treatment to enter recovery. It can ease suffering and save lives.”

The ongoing opioid crisis has claimed the lives of an estimated 3,118 people in New Jersey last year.

“Addiction is a disease that can be treated in medically-assisted ways,” said Senator Cryan. “Like any disease, it must be treated in order for a patient to recover. With this bill, Medicaid recipients will be able to receive critical treatment when needed and begin their road to recovery. To truly fight this opioid epidemic, we must break down treatment and access barriers for everyone.”

The bill, S-3314/A-4744, would require the Department of Human Services to ensure that provisions of benefits for medication assisted treatment to eligible persons under the Medicaid program or those who receive services funded through the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, be provided without prior authorization requirements or other prospective requirements. Treatment must be provided by a licensed medical practitioner who is authorized to prescribe and administer methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, or other medication approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.