Naloxone is covered for members

Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioid medications. Often given as a nasal spray, naloxone is safe and easy to use. Naloxone kits are carried by first responders and can be the difference between life and death for people experiencing an overdose.

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its family of companies covers naloxone at $0 member cost and with no prior approval required, so our members can access it without any restrictions.  Naloxone is available in all 50 states. If you have been prescribed high-dose opioids, talk to your doctor about co-prescribing naloxone.

How does naloxone work and how do you use it?

Naloxone quickly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breath has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose. More than one dose of naloxone may be required when stronger opioids like fentanyl are involved.

Naloxone is easy to use and light to carry. There are two forms of naloxone that anyone can use without medical training or authorization: (1) nasal spray, which is a prefilled device that sprays the naloxone into the nose; and, (2) auto-injector, which is a prefilled device that injects the naloxone into the outer thigh.

Naloxone saves lives.

Nearly 50,000 people died from an opioid-involved overdose in 2019 and bystanders are present in more than one-third of overdoses involving opioids. Given the right tools, a bystander can prevent overdose deaths. Anyone is permitted to carry naloxone, apply it to someone experiencing an overdose and potentially save a life.

Who should carry naloxone?

If you or someone you know is at increased risk for opioid overdose, especially those struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), you should carry naloxone and keep it at home. People who are taking high-dose opioid medications (greater or equal to 50 morphine milligram equivalents per day) prescribed by a doctor, people who use opioids and benzodiazepines together, and people who use illicit opioids like heroin should all carry naloxone. Because you can’t use naloxone on yourself, let others know you have it in case you experience an opioid overdose.

Make sure your clients know that naloxone is covered at $0 member cost so they can make sure their population is prepared. Have clients looking for help when it comes to opioid use? Together Arkansas provides free resources for employers looking to prepare, prevent and respond to the crisis.