No-cost and low-cost Narcan for City employees, retirees, and their dependents covered under City health insurance plans!
Did you know nasal naloxone, brand name Narcan, is now available over the counter (a.k.a. without a prescription)?
Did you also know City employees, retirees, and their dependents are eligible to receive no-cost and low-cost nasal naloxone through City-sponsored insurances for personal use?
One may choose to carry naloxone for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you would like to be prepared to help someone at risk for overdose. Perhaps you choose to carry it because you are on an opiate therapy plan or because you are managing opioid use disorder yourself. Whatever the case may be, we want to ensure City employees know how to access and use this life-saving medication!
Information on this page details how to use City insurance benefits to acquire naloxone as well as resources for employees without City insurance.
Visit our Nasal Naloxone Program for Non-First Responders | Portland Employees to learn more about:
- Understanding Opioid Overdose
- What is naloxone?
- What is fentanyl?
- Signs and Symptoms of an Opioid Overdose
- Accessing naloxone for City work
The Oregon Health Authority page also provides additional information about opioids and naloxone: Oregon Health Authority: Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications.
For City Moda/Express Scripts members
Moda CityCore and Moda CityHD Express Scripts insurance members* now have coverage for two (2) over-the-counter Narcan boxes (each with two single-dose nasal spray devices) per member per rolling year at no cost with or without a prescription. A “rolling year” in this case means the year starts with the date of the first occurrence of acquiring a box of Narcan and rolls to one year forward from that date. Additional boxes can be purchased with or without a prescription at the regular copay/coinsurance rate and there is no limit on the number that can be purchased.
To acquire your no-cost Narcan without a prescription, visit an in-network pharmacy. Present both your Express Scripts insurance card and a copy of the NARCAN notification letter sent to you in the mailPlease see the sample letter below.
Alternatively, you may request a prescription through your provider. This prescription can then be filled at a participating retail pharmacy or via mail order on the Express Scripts app or website.
For City Kaiser members
All Kaiser pharmacies now offer nasal naloxone without a prescription. Members who would like to purchase nasal naloxone without a prescription can visit any Kaiser pharmacy, request nasal naloxone, and pay the full retail cost (currently around $45). Additionally, all members on an opiate therapy plan are provided with a prescription for naloxone. A prescription is also offered if a member is using opiates outside a prescription context. Other members can speak to their individual doctor about their personal needs for a prescription. Nasal naloxone filled as a prescription is subject to the normal plan copay, which is currently $15 per carton for City members. This is filled as a generic medication and there is no limit to number of fills.
How to get nasal naloxone if you are NOT an Express Scripts or Kaiser member
To obtain Narcan or other opioid overdose reversal medications (OORM), the Oregon Health Authority recommends the steps below. More information can be found on their website: Oregon Health Authority : Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications : Opioid Overdose and Misuse : State of Oregon).
- If you are taking prescription opioids, ask your health care provider or pharmacist for an OORM prescription. Your health insurance might cover the cost of OORM. You might be able to find coupons for OORM online.
- If you want to have OORM on hand for someone else, ask your pharmacist for a prescription, health insurance usually will not cover this.
- Purchase over the counter NARCAN® nasal spray 4mg. Find a retailer near you by visiting https://narcan.com/buy.
- Utilize your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to cover the cost of naloxone.
- If you are in treatment for substance use, ask your counselor for help getting OORM. You might get OORM at no cost from a local program.
- If you are actively using opioids and involved with a syringe exchange or other harm reduction services, you can get OORM at no cost.
For other low or no-cost OORM, click here.
Naloxone training
Training on the use of naloxone is not required in Oregon nor is it required by the City of Portland to administer naloxone. However, training is strongly recommended to ensure the safe and effective use of naloxone. Some options for training are:
- Take the City’s virtual training for staff members at CityLearner Nasal Naloxone Training.
- Watch the OHA online training videos or read the OHA training protocol.
- Contact your local syringe exchange programs, social service agencies, and public health departments that distribute naloxone and other OORM to ask about trainings near you.
Are you or someone you know managing substance use disorder?
Help is available through these resources below:
- SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration- resources for individuals and family members seeking information on prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery.
- CityStrong GuidanceResources | Portland.gov- The City Employee Assistance Plans are available to all City employees and their household members 24/7 to connect you to care and resources.
- Mental Health Services| Kaiser Permanente- Kaiser members can visit this website to find low to no-cost non-urgent care. Kaiser also offers no-cost mental health coaching and self-care apps.
- Member Dashboard - Login (modahealth.com)- Moda Health members can visit their portal to find low to no-cost non-urgent care and search for a provider. Additionally, Moda members have access to the Meru Health app for mental health coaching.
Still need support?
Email the Occupational Health and CityStrong Well-being team. General inquiries can be directed to OccHealth@portlandoregon.gov or CityStrong@portlandoregon.gov.