New Jersey is targeting opioid abuse through legislation recently signed into law by Republican Gov. Chris Christie.
The legislation, Senate Bill 3, requires health insurance coverage for treatment of substance abuse disease and provides the nation's strongest maximum limit of five days on initial opioid prescriptions, lowered from 30 days.
"Most states allow opioid prescriptions to last seven days or many states significantly longer, [and] New Jersey will now lead the way in that regard," Gov. Christie said. "When a person who is in the throes of addiction as you know realizes he or she needs help, they should not be blocked at the treatment center doors with their life hanging in the balance, because their insurance carrier requires a pre-evaluation that could take weeks to complete. Now, with this legislation, people seeking treatment cannot be denied access in their time of need."
Under the legislation, insurers are also required to cover 180 days of drug treatment, although inpatient treatment can be reviewed after 28 days, according to a report on Philly.com. Gov. Christie said this is not going to impact cancer and hospice patients or residents of long-term care facilities.
The new law is set to take effect in about 90 days.