For Providers

News and Announcements

Please note, procedural and system changes to the buprenorphine prescription benefit for TennCare members were made, effective May 15, 2023. These changes impact prior authorization requirements for providers who prescribe buprenorphine products to TennCare members and those providers who participate in the Buprenorphine Enhanced Supportive Medication Assisted Recovery and Treatment (BESMART) provider network.

To learn more about these changes, please review the Updates for TennCare Buprenorphine Prior Authorization Criteria Memo.

Important: In early 2023, TennCare amended operations to reflect new federal law which removed the X-waiver requirement for the prescribing of buprenorphine products. In network TennCare providers who plan to prescribe buprenorphine must have an active DEA number, but there is no longer an X-waiver requirement. Previous presentations posted on this sit may still reflect X-waiver requirements which are no longer in effect.