Does Medicaid Pay for Suboxone? A Clear Guide for Tennessee Residents

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On December 2, 2025

If you’re asking, “does Medicaid pay for Suboxone,” you’re not alone. For men and women aged 18 to 65 in Tennessee — possibly in places like Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis or Clarksville — dealing with opioid addiction and wondering about treatment options, this article addresses exactly what you need to know.

At Nashville Addiction Clinic, we help people who may lack dependable transportation, are on low to mid-income, may be uninsured or underinsured, maybe carrying the burden of past hardships — mental abuse, divorce, legal issues — and are ready to stop chasing pills or turning to heroin. You might have used hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, OxyContin, fentanyl, or even Kratom, and you’ve maybe bought street Suboxone just to avoid withdrawals. You’re tired. We understand.

Here’s how it works — and how Medicaid (including TennCare Medicaid) interacts with treatment involving the FDA-approved medication Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone), combined with counseling and telemedicine, through our TeleMAT system.

What is Suboxone and Why It Matters

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Suboxone (the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone) as a safe and effective medication for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Key points:

It helps relieve opioid withdrawal and cravings, which are often what keep people stuck on morphine, heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, etc.
Suboxone must be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan: medication plus counseling and support.
The risk of overdose or death is very real when untreated. Without proper care, people on opioids are at high risk. It’s serious.

Does Medicaid Really Pay for Suboxone?

Primary Answer to “does Medicaid pay for Suboxone”

Yes — in most states, and including Tennessee, Medicaid programs cover medication-assisted treatment (MAT) which includes buprenorphine products like Suboxone or its generic equivalents.

Here’s what you should know:

Under federal guidance, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a letter (SHO #20-005) requiring state Medicaid plans to include coverage of MAT for opioid use disorders.
According to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), access to medications for OUD in Medicaid programs is strong: nearly all states cover buprenorphine.
Coverage details vary — drug formularies, prior-authorization, quantity limits, and whether brand-name Suboxone is covered or only generics.

What this means for you in Tennessee

If you have TennCare (Tennessee’s Medicaid program) or are eligible, you can have Suboxone treatment covered as part of opioid addiction care.

Specifically at our clinic:

We accept TennCare Medicaid for our TeleMAT (telemedicine medication-assisted treatment) model. You can register here for TennCare virtual Suboxone treatment
If you have commercial insurance or self-pay, we have pathways as well: commercial insurance Suboxone Telemedicine appointments or self-pay online addiction treatment
We also offer a sliding-scale program for low-income patients: Sliding-Scale Program

Why Choose TeleMAT at Nashville Addiction Clinic

What is TeleMAT?

We coined the term TeleMAT (telemedicine medication-assisted treatment) for our virtual care model.

No clinic visits required — you can complete appointments from home via mobile device.
You may live in rural areas in Tennessee — say in Cookeville, Jackson, Murfreesboro, Johnson City or Maryville — and you don’t have to worry about transportation.
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently expanded rules so that buprenorphine can be prescribed via telemedicine, including audio-only, in many cases.

Why our clinic stands out

Over 6 years of service, more than 1,000 people in Tennessee treated for opioid addiction.
We were the first clinic in Tennessee to receive a virtual medical license specifically for addiction treatment using telemedicine.
Accredited by The Joint Commission.
We have 250 + five-star patient reviews on Google. Read our reviews
Our team includes master’s-degree-level counselors who truly understand and are passionate about helping people in opioid addiction recovery.
The owners are in active recovery themselves — they created the clinic after being treated poorly elsewhere — so you’re treated with kindness, respect and dignity. Meet our team
On your first appointment, Suboxone medications are typically prescribed the same day, and can be sent to your local pharmacy or delivered overnight for your convenience.

How the Process Works (and how Medicaid plays in)

1. Check eligibility

You may be on TennCare Medicaid, commercial insurance, or self-pay. We’ll help you determine what your coverage looks like.

2. Virtual intake / assessment

From your mobile device, you complete a confidential assessment. Tell us about your opioid use: hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, OxyContin, fentanyl, heroin, Kratom, etc.

3. Prescription & plan

Once the virtual visit is complete, the provider prescribes Suboxone (or generic buprenorphine/naloxone) the same day.
Coverage for Medicaid: as noted above, Medicaid programs typically cover these medications. You will need to comply with your plan’s requirements (formulary, prior authorizations, counseling).

4. Counseling & support

Medication without support is not enough. Our plan includes master’s-level counseling, peer support, and tele-sessions. This fulfills the “complete treatment plan” that the FDA indicates is required for Suboxone.

5. Ongoing care & recovery

We monitor your progress, adjust dosage as needed, ensure you’re not experiencing cravings or withdrawal, and support your long-term recovery goals: getting your job back, stabilizing your family life, being free from chasing pills.

Register for Medicaid-Paid Online Suboxone Treatment

Register for Suboxone Telemedicine using TennCare Medicaid
Register for virtual Suboxone treatment using commercial insurance
Register for online Suboxone therapy as a self-pay patient
Register as a returning patient
Apply for our Sliding-Scale Program
View insurance we accept and self-pay pricing
See how Suboxone Telemedicine Appointments Work
Read our 260+ five-star reviews on Google
Message us securely on the Spruce Health mobile app
Meet Our Team
We accept most commercial/employee health plans, such as BCBS, Cigna, Ambetter, and United Healthcare, as well as all TennCare Medicaid insurance: Amerigroup Community Care, BlueCare, United Healthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint Community Care.
Experience a safe transition from hydrocodone, oxycodone/OxyContin, heroin, fentanyl, methadone, morphine, Kratom, 7-OH (7-Hydroxy-opioids), Tramadol, Opana, codeine, oxymorphone, Tramadol, Percocet, and other opioids.
Read about our Joint Commission accreditation
Learn about Nashville Addiction Clinic’s 2025 Best of Tennessee award

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will Medicaid cover brand-name Suboxone?

Often Medicaid covers the generic version of buprenorphine/naloxone rather than the brand Suboxone. Many states require prior authorization for brand name.

Does Medicaid pay for telemedicine Suboxone treatment?

Yes — many states’ Medicaid programs cover virtual Suboxone or buprenorphine treatment via telemedicine. Especially important for rural areas or low-transportation situations.

What about people with legal problems or felonies – can they use Medicaid/Suboxone?

Yes — addiction treatment doesn’t require a “perfect” prior history. Whether you’ve had legal issues, arrests, or a felony, you can still seek treatment. Medicaid eligibility is based on income and other factors, not just criminal history.

How quickly can I start Suboxone once I’m accepted?

At our clinic: often same day or next day. Prescription is sent to local pharmacy or shipped overnight.

What if I’ve been using heroin, fentanyl, OxyContin, hydrocodone, etc — can I transition to Suboxone?

Yes. Suboxone (or generic buprenorphine/naloxone) works for opioid use disorder stemming from many sources: morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, OxyContin, heroin, fentanyl, Kratom, etc. The key is proper induction (waiting until moderate withdrawal) and then starting medication.

How does Medicaid affect cost for me?

If you have TennCare Medicaid, many costs are covered — medication, counseling, virtual visits. If you have commercial insurance or self-pay, we have options. See our insurance and pricing page for details.

Why Acting Now Can Save Your Life

Opioid addiction is a condition that can lead to overdose or death. It’s not a failure — it’s an illness that requires treatment. The sooner you act, the better your chance at stabilizing your life, caring for your children, keeping your jobs, rebuilding after hardships.

With Medicaid covering Suboxone (or its generic) and our virtual TeleMAT model removing transportation or time barriers — in cities like Nashville, Knoxville, Jackson, Clarksville or Memphis — there’s no more waiting.

Ready to Get Started?

Call or text us at (615) 927-7802.
Or message us securely via the Spruce Health mobile app.
Whether you live in the greater Nashville area or rural Tennessee, you don’t have to travel to a clinic — we bring treatment to you.

Explore these links now:

External Resources

If you or a loved one is looking for Suboxone treatment under Medicaid, you’re in the right place — let our team at Nashville Addiction Clinic make the next step easy and respectful. Feel free to ask any questions. We’re here for you.

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