OxyContin won’t be covered by BCBS of Tennessee

Amy Baxter | | Health Exec | Policy & Regulations

In the middle of a national opioid epidemic, one major health insurance provider has decided it will no longer cover OxyContin prescriptions next year.

Instead of covering OxyContin, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee will encourage doctors to prescribe two prescription that are less likely to be abused, Xtampza and Morphabond, the Tennessean reported. OxyContin, a highly addictive pain killer, will no longer be covered beginning Jan. 1, 2019.

The decision marks an important turn in the ongoing opioid addiction crisis, which killed 72,000 people in 2017. Several states have taken their own actions to attempt to limit the harms of opioid addiction, including Arizona limiting prescriptions and doses.

See the full story below:

Blue Cross will stop covering OxyContin in Tennessee next year

Amy Baxter
Amy Baxter

Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."

Related Content

Mangione now faces federal charges, death penalty in murder of UHC CEO
FDA issues Class I recall on counterfeit infusion pump batteries
FDA issues alert on PCNL sheath safety after patient death
DOJ sues CVS over unlawful opioid prescriptions and reimbursement
FDA says years-long tirzepatide shortage is resolved, will give limited leeway to compounders
Advancing AI for vascular surgery will require a commitment to data integrity

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
FDA says years-long tirzepatide shortage is resolved, will give limited leeway to compounders

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

AI in Healthcare
From Capitol Hill to a hospital near you? 5 federal recommendations for healthcare AI policy

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Cardiovascular Business
Merck spends up to $2B to license new weight loss drug with potential heart benefits

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.