LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced that it will be making opioid treatment medications more accessible.
Starting today, the MDHHS Medical Services Administration is removing prior authorization requirements for medications used to treat opioid use disorder, including those such as buprenorphine.
“The removal of prior authorization for these medications in the Medicaid program will help increase access to treatment for people with opioid use disorders,” chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for MDHHS Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said in a statement. “By eliminating this requirement, medical providers will be empowered to help people begin treatment when they are ready and increase their chances of a successful recovery.”
According to MDHHS, prior authorization is a requirement that physicians must obtain approval from a patient’s health care insurer before prescribing a specific medication or to perform a particular operation.
After analyzing the prior authorization program, MDHHS came to the conclusion that prior authorization creates barriers and issues with receiving proper treatment.
Prior authorization has already been removed in 21 other states.
An evaluation and complete quarterly monitoring will be conducted to make sure that the change does not have any negative results.
More information about opioids can be found online at Michigan.gov/Opioids.
