Buprenorphine
Subutex (buprenorphine) sublingual tablets require prior authorization under BCBSMS policy L.5.01.475 and may be considered medically necessary for patients 16 years of age or older being treated for opioid dependence, with a treatment plan that includes counseling and/or psychosocial support. Sublocade (buprenorphine solution) is considered not medically necessary on all Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi formularies because there are other formulary alternatives covered by the Plan. The May 26, 2026 review updated the indications description for Sublocade (buprenorphine extended-release) injection, left the policy statements unchanged, and removed ICD-9 diagnosis codes from the code reference.