This 2019 bulletin describes evidence-based practices for providing medication assisted treatment (MAT) for individuals with opioid use disorder and coverage of these treatment by Virginia’s Medicaid program. Key features of the Virginia policy include: elimination of prior authorization for preferred buprenorphine products, encouragement of same day initiation of buprenorphine therapy when individuals present for treatment, elimination of any tapering requirements or time limits for MAT, required co-prescribing of naloxone for any individual receiving MAT, and encouragement for the integration of medical care including infectious disease screening and treatment and reproductive health services, In addition, Virginia Medicaid now allows same day billing of medical and behavioral health services and does not require patients to receive ongoing counseling or psychotherapy as a condition of receiving MAT.
Funding Source: Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
Evidence-Based Practices and Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
A 2019 Virginia Medicaid bulletin describing state policies for medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.