Is Sublocade covered by Medicaid?
Key Points
- Most patients with Medicaid typically pay low or no cost for Sublocade (buprenorphine) if it is a preferred drug treatment by their state health plan. Your health plan and costs are determined by your state Medicaid program.
- You do not pick up this medicine in a pharmacy because your doctor will order it for you and give it to you in a doctor's office, clinic or hospital. Sublocade is usually supplied to your doctor from a specialty pharmacy.
- Sublocade is a long-acting subcutaneous (under the skin) injection given once-a-month to treat opioid dependence along with counseling and social support.
All States provide coverage for outpatient prescription drugs to eligible enrollees. Medicaid is a US government-run health insurance program that provides medical assistance for low-income individuals and families. It is jointly run by the federal government and individual US states.
State Medicaid programs may provide coverage for Sublocade but it can vary based on your state formulary (the list of covered drugs). You may need to meet specific criteria or have used other treatments first without success before you are eligible to receive Sublocade.
You can ask your doctor if Sublocade is covered by Medicaid in your state. You can also search online for a formulary list of preferred Medicaid drugs in your state.
If you do not qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford your medicine, Indivior, the manufacturer of Sublocade (buprenorphine), may be able to assist you. You can contact Indivior by phone in the U.S. and Canada at 1-877-782-6966. You can also find their contact information here.
Sublocade is a long-acting, prescription medicine given by injection under the skin (subcutaneously) once a month. It steadily releases the partial opiate agonist buprenorphine into your bloodstream for the treatment of opiate dependence (opioid use disorder). It is used as part of a complete treatment regimen that also includes counseling and psychosocial support.
Sublocade is only given by a healthcare provider. Serious harm or death could result if you administer this drug into a vein (intravenously). Your doctor will order Sublocade for you and also administer it each month at their office, clinic or in a hospital. It is a long-acting medicine given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneoulsy) once every month.
This is not all the information you need to know about Sublocade (buprenorphine) injection for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full Sublocade information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
Related questions
References
- Prescription drugs. Medicaid.gov. Accessed April 15, 2021 at https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/prescription-drugs/index.html
- North Carolina Division of Health Benefits. North Carolina Medicaid and Health Choice Preferred Drug List (PDL). January 2021. Accessed April 15, 2021 at https://files.nc.gov/ncdma/documents/files/PDL_January_1_2021.pdf
- Sublocade (buprenorphine). Prescribing information. Revised 3/2021. Accessed April 15, 2021 at https://www.sublocade.com/Content/pdf/prescribing-information.pdf
Read next
Is Probuphine better than Sublocade?
Probuphine and Sublocade are long-acting forms of buprenorphine. There is no evidence that one is better than the other. They are both used in long-term medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD). Continue reading
Who makes Sublocade in the U.S?
Sublocade (buprenorphine) is made by Indivior. Sublocade (buprenorphine) is an extended-release, once-monthly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection that steadily releases buprenorphine into your bloodstream for the treatment of opiate dependence (opioid use disorder). Sublocade is only given by a healthcare provider. Serious harm or death could result if administered intravenously. Continue reading
Is Sublocade a controlled substance?
Sublocade (buprenorphine) is classified by the DEA as a schedule 3 controlled substance with moderate abuse potential. Medicines in schedule 3 have a potential for abuse less than those in schedule 1 and 2 (for example, heroin or oxycodone). Abuse of schedule 3 substances may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. Sublocade is used for the treatment of opiate dependence (opioid use disorder or opioid addiction). Continue reading
Related medical questions
- How is Sublocade administered?
- Sublocade vs Suboxone - What's the difference between them?
- How long does Sublocade last?
- How long does Sublocade take to work?
- Does Sublocade have naloxone in it?
- Does Sublocade need to be refrigerated?
- How does Sublocade work?
- Is Sublocade an addictive drug?
Drug information
- Sublocade Information for Consumers
- Sublocade prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Sublocade (detailed)
- Sublocade user reviews (301)
Related support groups
- Sublocade (19 questions, 41 members)
- Opiate Dependence (150 questions, 2,360 members)