The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides states with the Substance Abuse and Prevention Treatment (SABG) block grant. SABG funds are intended for the uninsured and fund up to 55% of addiction treatment services.

SAMHSA’s SABG Block Grant application for fiscal years 2018-2019 includes information (page 81) supporting medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders:

SAMHSA strongly encourages that the states require treatment facilities providing clinical care to those with substance use disorders demonstrate that they both have the capacity and staff expertise to use MAT or have collaborative relationships with other providers that can provide the appropriate MAT services clinically needed.

Individuals with substance use disorders who have a disorder for which there is an FDA- approved medication treatment should have access to those treatments based upon each individual patient’s needs.

In addition, SAMHSA also encourages states to require the use of MAT for substance use disorders for opioid use, alcohol use, and tobacco use disorders where clinically appropriate.

The Single State Authority (SSA) in each state manages the state’s SABG funds. Research has found that treatment organizations are more likely to adopt buprenorphine if their state’s Single State Authority supports use of medications for treating substance use disorders. ¹

Are state or drug company programs available to pay for medications?  Some states have low-cost drug programs for people who are low income but not eligible for Medicaid.  Check with your state’s Medicaid office for information on prescription assistance or discount programs that might be available in your state.  

The National Council of State Legislatures website also offers an overview of state pharmaceutical assistance programs. It includes a table of states offering SPAPs and discount drug programs as of December 2015.

Drug companies also sponsor programs to provide free or low-cost medication to patients who can’t afford it. Each company has its own program so requirements will vary, but this information is available on manufacturer’s websites.

To find out more, visit:

• RxAssist: An online database of drug company prescription assistance programs.
• NeedyMeds: A national non-profit organization that also offers free online information on prescription assistance programs and other resources to help people save on health care costs.
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance: Offers free online assistance in finding patient assistance programs.

Individuals who are opiate dependent often have accompanying physical health problems that increase costs and utilization of time and resources. In some cases, hospitals, clinics, and health departments work together to provide funding for proper care.

A network of approximately 1,200 free and charitable clinics provide primary and behavioral health care services to the working poor, uninsured, and underinsured. These clinics rely on volunteer staff and provide services regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. For more information, visit the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics.

The state-operated mental health system is usually able to purchase medications at a discounted fee. Purchasing medications through the state mental health system for state-funded treatment providers can reduce the cost of the needed medications.

Linking patients to a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) for ongoing MAT and primary care can also reduce the cost of medications. FQHCs receive substantially discounted rates on medications through a program titled 340B. At least 50 percent of the patients must be covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

Several states have organized consortiums that allow them to purchase medications in bulk at lower costs. The National Council of State Legislatures provides an overview of existing plans: Pharmaceutical Bulk Purchasing: Multi-state and Inter-agency Plans

Collaboration between multiple organizations has helped to leverage political action or political pressure to increase funding, pressure third-party payers, and influence Medicaid policy changes.

¹ Knudsen, H. K., & Abraham, A. J. (2012). Perceptions of the state policy environment and adoption of medications in the treatment of substance use disorders. Psychiatric Services.