2019 District of Columbia Code
Title 7 - Human Health Care and Safety.
Chapter 32 - Opioid Overdose Treatment and Prevention.
§ 7–3202. Expanding access to opioid use disorder treatment.

(a)(1) By January 1, 2020, each health insurer shall:

(A) Create a list of its in-network health care providers that treat opioid use disorder, including the in-network health provider's contact information and an indication of whether the in-network health care provider has been certified by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency to prescribe opioid use disorder treatment medication; and

(B) Maintain at least one in-network health care provider who is accepting new patients and is authorized to treat opioid use disorder, including through the use of opioid use disorder treatment medication. Services delivered through telehealth may satisfy the requirement of this subparagraph.

(2) Each health insurer shall update the list required by paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection on a quarterly basis.

(3)(A) Upon the request of a beneficiary or prospective beneficiary of a health insurer, the health insurer shall transmit the list created and updated pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection to that beneficiary or prospective beneficiary by mail or by electronic means within 7 days after the receipt of the request.

(B) Each health insurer shall publish the list and instructions on how to access the list created and updated pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection on its website.

(b) By January 1, 2020, and annually thereafter:

(1) Each health insurer shall submit a report to DBH, DHCF, DISB, and the Council that includes the following:

(A) A list of the health insurer's in-network health care providers that are certified by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency to prescribe opioid use disorder treatment medications, and which type of opioid use disorder treatment medications the health care providers prescribe;

(B) The number of beneficiaries that were treated for opioid use disorder in the prior fiscal year; and

(C) A description of any efforts by the health insurer in the prior fiscal year to ensure that its in-network capacity to treat opioid use disorder meets the needs of its beneficiaries.

(2) The Mayor shall submit a report to the Council that includes:

(A) An analysis of programs in other jurisdictions that have sought to expand access to opioid use disorder treatment medications;

(B) An evaluation of District health care providers' treatment capacity for opioid use disorders in the District, including opportunities for expanding and improving offerings;

(C) An identification of any barriers to expanding access to additional opioid use disorder treatment medications;

(D) An assessment of the financial costs associated with different methods of treating opioid use disorder;

(E) An assessment of the current reimbursement rates for health care providers for opioid use disorder treatment; and

(F) An identification and analysis of any gaps in opioid use disorder treatment options in the District.

(Apr. 11, 2019, D.C. Law 22-288, § 102, 66 DCR 1656.)

Applicability of D.C. Law 22-288: § 7168 of D.C. Law 23-16 repealed § 501 of D.C. Law 22-288. Therefore the creation of subsection (b)(2) of this section by D.C. Law 22-288 has been implemented.

Applicability of D.C. Law 22-288: § 501 of D.C. Law 22-288 provided that the creation of subsection (b)(2) this section by § 102 of D.C. Law 22-288 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.