MACPAC examines access to medication-assisted treatment

Oct 24, 2019 - 02:31 PM
macpac

Medicaid policies to manage and control medication-assisted treatment vary widely by state, according to a report to Congress by the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission. The report focuses on policies such as prior authorization, step therapy, prescription limits, quantity or dose limits, and lifetime limits in eight states: Arkansas, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and West Virginia. The commission said it was unclear to what extent the policies posed barriers to MAT access. “For example, some states have removed medications used in MAT from preferred drug lists, which may make it more difficult for patients with Medicaid to gain access to these drugs,” MACPAC said. “At the same time, we found a trend toward reduced use of prior authorization, which would ease an important barrier to access. Our analysis further suggests that although more Medicaid beneficiaries are getting needed treatment, a large treatment gap remains.” The Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of 2018 directed MACPAC to study MAT policies that may affect access to clinically appropriate treatment.

Related News Articles

Headline
Administration rescinds memo pausing federal grants, loans and other financial assistance programs
The White House Office of Management and Budget Jan. 29 rescinded a memo it issued two days earlier directing federal agencies to temporarily pause federal…
Headline
White House pauses federal grants, other programs implicated by executive orders; OMB says Medicare and Medicaid not affected by pause
The White House Office of Management and Budget late Jan. 27 issued a memo directing federal agencies to temporarily pause federal grants, loans and other…
Headline
CMS announces two drug manufacturers to participate in CGT Access Model 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dec. 4 announced that drug manufacturers bluebird bio, inc. (manufacturer of Lyfgenia) and Vertex…
Headline
CMS to allow Medicaid, CHIP coverage for IHS facilities, tribal communities 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Oct. 16 approved section 1115 demonstration amendments which will allow Medicaid and Children's Health…
Headline
CMS releases guidance for states to meet Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment requirements under Medicaid and CHIP
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 26 released guidance on state compliance with the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment…
Headline
CMS releases state funding notice for participants in gene therapy model 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Aug. 15 released a state funding notice for the Cell and Gene Therapy Access Model. The CGT Access Model will…