Independence has made the prevention and treatment of opioid abuse a priority. In February 2018, Independence announced that effective March 1, 2018, for fully insured commercial members, and effective April 1, 2018, for self-funded customers who chose to participate, cost-sharing (i.e., copayment, deductible, and coinsurance) was removed for injectable and nasal spray formulations of naloxone and Narcan^®, a brand of naloxone.* In October 2018, a decision was made to extend the initiative through 2019.

For 2020, Independence will continue to offer the brand Narcan and generic naloxone at no cost-share, after deductibles are met. Since the implementation of the cost-share removal, Independence has seen an almost 100 percent increase in member usage, and thus has decided to extend the initiative through December 31, 2020.

The cost-sharing change applies only to members who are making a purchase for themselves or for someone who has coverage through Independence.

Note: This does not apply to Evizo^®, a naloxone auto-injection system.

Education: Tools and resources for providers and members

To help combat the opioid crisis, many states, including Pennsylvania, have implemented standing orders to allow patients access to Narcan and naloxone without a prescription.

Independence supports this initiative and offers informative tools and resources available for providers and members as part of our ongoing commitment to opioid abuse prevention and treatment.

• An Opioid Awareness section is available on the home page of our Provider News Center that provides links to tools and resources to help providers manage patients who are prescribed opioid medications.
• Members can find information on opioid and substance abuse materials, including useful information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on the IBX member resources page.

If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-ASK-BLUE.

*Independence offers the brand Narcan and generic naloxone at no cost-share, after deductibles are met.