Independence Blue Cross removes cost sharing from naloxone treatment

Independence will become one of the first Blue plans in the U.S. to remove members' cost-sharing responsibilities for injectable and nasal spray opioid overdose treatment.

The policy change on naloxone and its brand name, Narcan, will affect Independence members with pharmacy benefits. It is effective March 1 for those with fully insured business plans and April 1 for self-funded businesses. Policyholders who've met their deductible won't have a copay at the pharmacy when filling their prescription.

"By removing a financial barrier to accessing naloxone, we can make the drug more readily available and hopefully save more lives," said Richard Snyder, MD, CMO for Independence Blue Cross. "Our hope is that anyone struggling with opioid addiction can get appropriate treatment, but they have to be alive to take that step."

Independence Blue Cross also has a five-day limit on initial low-dose opioid prescriptions.

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