Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Jim Justice, R-W.Va., introduced bipartisan legislation to remove prior authorization requirements for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid.
The proposed No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act would require all state Medicaid programs to cover at least one formulation of each FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder without prior authorization, including long-acting injectables when available, according to a news release shared with Becker’s. The bill aims to eliminate delays in access to care for patients with opioid addiction, who may wait days for Medicaid approval.
The legislation also directs the Medicaid and CHIP Payment Advisory Commission to submit a report to Congress. The report will examine how states use utilization management controls — such as dosing limits, age restrictions, counseling requirements and psychological screening — for medication-assisted treatment, including state or federal policies that may hinder access to treatment.
