Medically reviewed by Dr. Jerrel Boyer, D.O. — Medical Director, Fresh Start Health Centers · Last reviewed: November 9, 2026
If you have Kentucky Medicaid and you are thinking about starting Suboxone, here is the short answer: yes, your plan covers it. It does not matter which Medicaid plan you picked. Every Kentucky Medicaid plan covers Suboxone and generic buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid use disorder, and for most members the prescription costs nothing at the pharmacy. This guide explains why the coverage is the same on every plan, what you might still run into, and how to get started.
Every Kentucky Medicaid Plan Covers Suboxone
Most Kentucky Medicaid members are enrolled in one of five managed care plans. According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, those plans are:
- Aetna Better Health of Kentucky — (855) 300-5528
- Humana Healthy Horizons in Kentucky — (800) 444-9137
- Passport Health Plan by Molina Healthcare — (800) 578-0603
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan — (866) 293-1796
- WellCare of Kentucky — (877) 389-9457
All five cover Suboxone, and so does traditional fee-for-service Medicaid. If you used to have Anthem Medicaid, note that Anthem stopped being a Kentucky Medicaid managed care plan on January 1, 2025. Your Medicaid eligibility did not change; you were moved to one of the plans above.
There is a federal reason the answer is the same everywhere. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services explains that federal law now permanently requires every state Medicaid program to cover all medications approved by the FDA for treatment of opioid use disorder, plus the counseling and behavioral therapy that go with them.
One Drug List for Every Plan
Kentucky goes a step further than many states. All five managed care plans and fee-for-service Medicaid share one pharmacy benefit manager (MedImpact) and one statewide preferred drug list. That means your Suboxone coverage does not change if you switch from Humana to WellCare, or from Passport to Aetna.
On the November 2026 Kentucky Medicaid preferred drug list, every medication in the opioid dependence treatment class is listed as preferred, including:
- Suboxone film and generic buprenorphine/naloxone films and tablets
- Zubsolv tablets and buprenorphine-only tablets
- Sublocade and Brixadi, which are extended-release buprenorphine injections
- Naltrexone tablets and Vivitrol injections
Not sure which form is right for you? Our comparison of Suboxone vs. Sublocade vs. Brixadi walks through the differences.
What Suboxone Costs With Kentucky Medicaid
For most members, $0. Kentucky law prohibits Kentucky Medicaid and its managed care plans from charging members copays or other cost-sharing. That includes prescriptions, so a covered Suboxone or buprenorphine prescription should not cost you anything at the pharmacy counter. Office visits and counseling for opioid use disorder are covered benefits as well.
What You Might Still Run Into
Coverage is not the same as “no rules.” A few things can still come up:
- Quantity limits. The drug list caps how many films or tablets can be filled per day. Most patients are well within these limits.
- Safety checks. Federal law requires pharmacy safety edits, such as alerts for early refills, duplicate fills, or combining buprenorphine with opioid pain medicines. Some of these need an approval to override.
- Higher doses. A dose above the usual limit may need prior authorization. Your prescriber submits that request, not you.
- Finding a provider. Your plan covers the medication, but you still need a prescriber who accepts your plan.
Coverage varies; contact your plan for specifics. The member services number is on the back of your Medicaid card.
Do Not Have Medicaid Yet?
You can apply for Kentucky Medicaid through kynect at (855) 459-6328. Changes are also coming in 2027, when some adults will need to report work or community activities to keep coverage. People in addiction treatment may qualify for an exemption. Our guide to Kentucky Medicaid work requirements for 2027 explains who may qualify and what to do now.
If you do not have insurance at all, you still have options. See how to get Suboxone treatment in Kentucky, even without insurance.
Getting Started With Suboxone at Fresh Start Health
Fresh Start Health accepts Kentucky Medicaid and treats opioid use disorder with medications approved by the FDA for treatment of opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine, along with counseling and regular follow-up. Treatment is individualized, and outcomes vary. Call us before your first visit and we will confirm that we are in network with your plan.
We see patients in person in Ashland, Grayson, Morehead, and Vanceburg, and by telehealth for eligible patients. Learn more on our Suboxone treatment page and our addiction care services page. Already in treatment somewhere else? Read about switching your Suboxone care to a Kentucky provider.
Your treatment records at Fresh Start Health are protected under federal privacy laws including 42 CFR Part 2, which provides stronger confidentiality protections than standard HIPAA rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kentucky Medicaid cover Suboxone?
Yes. Every Kentucky Medicaid plan covers Suboxone and generic buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid use disorder. That includes all five managed care plans (Aetna Better Health, Humana Healthy Horizons, Passport by Molina, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, and WellCare) and traditional fee-for-service Medicaid. Federal law requires state Medicaid programs to cover all medications approved by the FDA for treatment of opioid use disorder, along with related counseling.
How much does Suboxone cost with Kentucky Medicaid?
For most members, nothing at the pharmacy counter. Kentucky law (KRS 205.6312) bars Kentucky Medicaid and its managed care plans from charging copays or other cost-sharing to members. That applies to prescriptions, including buprenorphine products used to treat opioid use disorder. If a pharmacy asks you for a copay on a covered Medicaid prescription, ask them to check your coverage again.
Do I need prior authorization for Suboxone with Kentucky Medicaid?
Usually not for standard doses. Suboxone film, generic buprenorphine/naloxone films and tablets, and Zubsolv are all on the preferred side of Kentucky Medicaid’s drug list. Quantity limits and federal safety checks still apply, so a higher-than-usual dose or an early refill may need approval. Your prescriber handles that request, not you.
Does Kentucky Medicaid cover Sublocade and Brixadi shots?
Yes. Sublocade and Brixadi, which are extended-release buprenorphine injections given by a health care provider, are both listed as preferred medications on Kentucky Medicaid’s drug list. Injections still follow dosing and quantity rules. Ask your provider whether a monthly or weekly injection fits your treatment plan better than a daily film or tablet.
Which Kentucky Medicaid plan is best for Suboxone treatment?
For the medication itself, it does not matter much. All five plans use the same statewide drug list and the same pharmacy benefit manager, so Suboxone coverage is the same on every plan. The bigger difference is which clinics and providers are in each plan’s network. Before you choose or switch plans, confirm that your treatment provider accepts that plan.
Start Treatment Using Your Medicaid
Your Kentucky Medicaid plan already covers Suboxone. The next step is a first appointment. Call Fresh Start Health at (606) 225-8200 or learn more about starting Suboxone. If you or someone with you is having an overdose, call 911.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Medicaid rules and drug lists can change; verify current coverage with your plan.