Ohio expands use of anti-narcotic treatment

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Changes in the way doctors can bill Medicaid for an expensive painkiller addiction treatment are taking place in Ohio.

Under the new change taking effect Monday, pharmacies can bill Medicaid directly for Vivitrol and have the drug delivered to a doctor's office without an upfront payment.

Injections of the drug can cost as much as $1,000 a month.

That replaces the current system in which doctors must pay for Vivitrol injections out of pocket, then seek reimbursement through Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for poor children and families.

The state Office of Health Transformation says adding Vivitrol to the pharmacy benefit will eliminate barriers to prescribing, improve access for Medicaid beneficiaries and ensure better long-term treatment.