Cigna Ends Prior Authorization For Medication Assisted Treatment For Addiction

Cigna is ending its policy of requiring prior authorization for medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder, effective October 15, 2016. The change applies to all Cigna commercial plans, including self-funded plans and government-sponsored plans in New York State and nationwide.

A Cigna spokesperson told OPEN MINDS that the company is implementing comprehensive efforts to reduce opioid use among its commercial plan members by 25% in three years. The new policy removes prior authorization for all medications used in MAT for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine-naloxone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, disulfram, and acamprosate.

The policy change is part . . .