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Insurer Cigna Eases Rules For Opioid Addiction Medication

The insurer Cigna has agreed to end a policy of requiring doctors to fill out extra paperwork before giving patients a medication used to treat opioid addiction.

The action comes after New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman expressed concerns that the requirement created unnecessary treatment delays. In a statement, the Bloomfield, Connecticut-based insurer says the change will make it easier for customers to get medications they need.

Schneiderman, a Democrat, says he applauds Cigna's action and encourages other insurers to take similar steps.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
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