District of Columbia takes important step to reverse opioid epidemic

CHICAGO — The Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) and the American Medical Association (AMA) applauded the mayor’s office today for removing prior authorization for medications to treat opioid use disorder. The decision from the D.C. Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) applies to patients receiving Medicaid and is effective immediately.

“This action will save lives,” said Patrice A. Harris, M.D., MA, president-elect of the American Medical Association and chair of the AMA Opioid Task Force. “We commend the leadership shown by Mayor Muriel Bowser, DHCF Director Wayne Turnage and Medicaid Director Melisa Byrd. Now it’s time for commercial health insurance companies to follow suit and remove prior authorization for medication assisted treatment [MAT].”