New Opioid Prescription Safety Measures

As of January 1, 2019, the federal Medicare program has introduced new safety policies for opioid prescriptions.  If you are filling an opiate prescription for the first time or do not regularly take opioids, your prescription will be limited to a seven day supply.  If your doctor writes the prescription for more than a seven day supply, you or your doctor can ask for a coverage determination and ask MVP to cover more medication.  Members undergoing certain medical treatments are excluded from this seven day limit (such as members prescribed opiates for pain during cancer treatment, enrolled in hospice or palliative care, or who are residents of a long-term care facility).

All opiate medications must still be listed on the MVP Heath Care^® Medicare Part D Formulary to be covered.  Medications which require prior authorization will still need approval from MVP before the prescription can be filled.  The pharmacist may contact your doctor for more information before filling your prescription.