New York Removes Medicaid Prior Authorization For Opioid Medication-Assisted Treatment

Effective on June 3, 2021, prior authorization of opioid medication-assisted treatment (MAT) was no longer required in New York for Medicaid beneficiaries via Assembly Bill 2030. On June 30, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed legislation to fund this initiative with the funds received by New York State from litigation against opioid manufacturers. These funds will not replace any existing state funding for addiction treatment. New York anticipates receiving over $1.6 billion in settlement agreements.

Another bill, Senate Bill 1546, is working its way through the New York State legislature. This bill amends existing public health law to require that . . .