The state’s largest insurer has introduced that its clients won’t should pay out of pocket for a lifesaving overdose drug.
In a Tuesday morning press launch, insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts mentioned that it might cowl the price of Narcan, or naloxone, for over-the-counter nonprescription use. The Food and Drug Administration authorized the drug for nonprescription utilized in March of this 12 months.
“Naloxone has become the standard treatment for opioid overdose and making it available more widely is a key strategy in controlling the overdose crisis,” Dr. Sandhya Rao, Blue Cross’ chief medical officer mentioned within the launch.
According to the National Institutes for Health, Narcan is a nasal spray delivered drug that may shortly block the consequences of opioids on the physique. Timely administration of the drug in an emergency scenario could be the distinction between life and dying for overdose sufferers.
“Waiving out-of-pocket costs for this emergency medication aligns with our commitment to ensuring our members have access to the substance use disorder treatment they need, when they need it – especially critical as opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts continue to rise,” Rao mentioned.
According to data revealed by the governor’s workplace, 22,000 Massachusetts residents have died of an overdose within the final decade. In 2022 alone the Bay State noticed 2,357 overdose deaths.
Gov. Maura Healey has written to the Biden White House requesting the president order U.S. flags lowered on August 31 in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day, her workplace revealed Tuesday.
“The overdose crisis has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans and Massachusetts residents. This loss has been devastating to their families, to their communities, and to our entire state and country. We are truly in mourning,” the Governor mentioned in an announcement.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”