INSAM Supports Removing Prior Authorization on MOUD

On January 25th, the Indiana Society of Addiction Medicine (INSAM) sent a letter to Chair Ryan Mishler of the Senate Appropriations Committee in support of SB 3. Among other provisions, SB 3 would prohibit utilization review entities from imposing prior authorization on Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

In the letter, INSAM noted that MOUD is an evidence-based treatment for addiction. Research indicates that MOUD improves treatment outcomes for patients, such as increasing retention in treatment and decreasing criminal activity. Additionally, INSAM emphasized the harmful impact that prior authorization can have on patients’ ability to access MOUD. For example, prior authorization can cause delays in accessing prescriptions, negatively impacting treatment outcomes. INSAM praised SB 3 for including provisions ensuring that treatment decisions are less dependent on outside pressures and that MOUD is more accessible to patients in Indiana at a time of great need.   

Read the letter here.