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Bill

HB 795

Health insurance; coverage for certain opioid antagonists, required notice for certain pharmacies.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Atoosa Reaser

Virginia bill requires health insurers to cover opioid antagonist medications at no cost to increase overdose emergency access and save lives.

Passed Senate with substitute (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
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Bill Summary · HB 795

Legislative bill overview

HB 795 requires health insurance plans in Virginia to cover opioid antagonists (such as naloxone/Narcan) without cost-sharing, whether obtained by prescription or over-the-counter. The bill aims to increase access to life-saving overdose reversal medications by removing financial barriers at the point of use.

Why is this important

Opioid overdose deaths remain a significant public health crisis. Removing cost barriers to naloxone increases the likelihood that individuals and bystanders will have access to this medication during overdose emergencies, potentially saving lives. The bill addresses both prescription and OTC formulations to ensure comprehensive coverage across distribution methods.

Potential points of contention

  • Insurance premium costs: Insurers may argue that mandated no-cost coverage increases premiums for all policyholders, raising overall healthcare costs
  • Scope of coverage: Questions about whether coverage extends to all insurance types (individual, group, Medicaid) and how "cost-sharing" is defined (deductibles, copays, coinsurance)
  • OTC medication precedent: Mandating insurance coverage of over-the-counter drugs without cost-sharing could set a precedent for other OTC medications and raise debates about appropriate insurance boundaries
  • Implementation details: The substitute version suggests modifications were made; unclear specifics on transition timelines, dosage limits, or quantity restrictions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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