Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA pledges to cover cost of Narcan
New England Council member, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts announced it will cover the over-the-counter cost of the emergency overdose treatment, Narcan for its policyholders.
Since 2018, the group has removed copays for Narcan and provided overdose tool kits to employers in its network. The recent announcement follows a disturbing trend in Massachusetts, where the opioid crisis has tragically taken the lives of more than 2,000 residents this year, marking the third consecutive year of increasing deaths. To combat the epidemic, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Narcan for over-the-counter use earlier this year. As the largest insurer in the state, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts set itself apart from competitors with its pledge and so far, remains one of the only Massachusetts insurers to fully reimburse its members for the cost of the treatment.
“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 Dr. Sandhya Rao, Blue Cross’ chief medical officer. “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.”
The New England Council applauds Blue Cross Blue Shield’s support for public health.
Read more in the Boston Globe.