Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

V.S.A. tit. 18, ch. 93, subch. 1

in effect

18 V.S.A. § 4750 Definitions

4750. Definitions As used in this chapter: (1) “Health insurance plan” has the same meaning as in 8 V.S.A. § 4011. (2) “Medication for opioid use disorder” means the use of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Added 2017, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1a, eff. May 21, 2018; amended 2017, No. 176 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2019, No. 14, § 51, eff. April 30, 2019; 2019, No. 43, § 2; 2023, No. 22, § 6a, eff. May 25, 2023; 2025, No. 11, § 16, eff. Sept. 1, 2025.

18 V.S.A. § 4751 Purpose

4751. Purpose It is the purpose of this chapter to authorize the Departments of Health and of Vermont Health Access to establish a regional system of opioid addiction treatment. Added 2011, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 14, 2012; amended 2015, No. 173 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.

18 V.S.A. § 4752 Opioid use disorder treatment system

4752. Opioid use disorder treatment system (a) The Departments of Health and of Vermont Health Access shall establish by rule in accordance with 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 a regional system of opioid use disorder treatment. (b) The rules may address requirements for pharmacological treatment, including initial assessments, ongoing follow-up, provider education, and diversion prevention. (c) Controlled substances for treating opioid use disorder shall be dispensed only by: (1) a treatment program authorized by the Department of Health; or (2) a health care provider who is not affiliated with an authorized treatment program but who meets federal requirements for use of controlled substances in the pharmacological treatment of opioid use disorder. (d) Controlled substances for use in treatment of opioid use disorder may be prescribed via telehealth in accordance with federal requirements. (e) The Department of Vermont Health Access or the Department’s pharmacy benefits manager shall not require a health care provider to document a patient’s adverse reaction to a medication prior to prescribing an alternative medication for opioid use disorder to the patient. Added 2011, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 14, 2012; amended 2015, No. 173 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2023, No. 22, § 6b, eff. May 25, 2023.

18 V.S.A. § 4753 Care coordination

4753. Care coordination Prescribing physicians and collaborating health care and addictions professionals may coordinate care for patients receiving medication for opioid use disorder, which may include monitoring adherence to treatment, coordinating access to recovery supports, and providing counseling, contingency management, and case management services. Added 2015, No. 173 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; amended 2023, No. 22, § 6c, eff. May 25, 2023.

18 V.S.A. § 4754 Limitation on prior authorization requirements

4754. Limitation on prior authorization requirements (a) A health insurance plan shall not require prior authorization for prescription drugs for a patient who is receiving medication for opioid use disorder if the dosage prescribed is within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s dosing recommendations. (b) A health insurance plan shall not require prior authorization for all counseling and behavioral therapies associated with medication for opioid use disorder for a patient who is receiving medication-assisted treatment. Added 2019, No. 43, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2020; amended 2025, No. 16, § 2, eff. July 1, 2025.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/18/093Fetched: 10/21/2026