Cuomo Directs Health Insurers To Cover Substance Abuse Treatment

Health insurers in New York State will now be required to cover medication and treatment of substance abuse disorders.

Governor Cuomo announced the new legislation today, that requires insurers to provide inpatient and outpatient coverage for detox and treatment medication including naloxone.

Insurers must now also eliminate prior authorization requirements for five-day emergency supplies of substance abuse prescription medications in the event of an emergency.

“Health insurers have an obligation to cover costs for lifesaving substance abuse treatment and our administration will have zero tolerance for those who seek to sidestep this responsibility,” Governor Cuomo said. “This action is an important step toward breaking the cycle of addiction and put an ending the epidemic of opioid abuse in New York once and for all.”

This new action by the Governor's office follows legislation signed earlier this year to combat heroin and opioid abuse.