Do opioids leave you feeling like you’re stuck in a never-ending cycle? You know that you need to stop taking opioids, but you don’t know how you’re going to manage it.
You’ve tried recovery before, but the whole process is exhausting. You’ve attempted to power through your withdrawal symptoms, but the cravings are too intense. Even though you want to stop taking opioids, you still feel like you need them.
You’ve heard about Sublocade, and you know that a once-monthly shot would work well for you. You wouldn’t accidentally miss your dose, and you’ve read that the medication can drastically reduce your cravings for opioids as well as other withdrawal symptoms. You’re on Medicaid because you don’t have access to any other insurance plans, and you’re not sure how that will affect your ability to start Sublocade. You know that if your insurance doesn’t cover it, you probably won’t be able to afford it. If this sounds familiar, ReVIDA® Recovery can help.
As of 2025, more than 1.7 million Virginia residents are on Medicaid. Medicaid is a government service that provides health insurance for low-income people across the country. Sublocade is an effective medication for treating OUD in Virginia and beyond.
At ReVIDA® Recovery, we understand how important it is to have access to the right medication for treating your opioid use disorder (OUD). When you ask, “Is Sublocade covered by Medicaid?” We’ll be quick to let you know that Virginia’s Medicaid program does include Sublocade as one of its preferred medications for treating OUD.
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Understanding Your Treatment Options. What Is Sublocade?
Sublocade is an extended-release medication used to treat OUD. It is administered as a monthly shot by a physician. The medication is injected as a liquid, and once it enters the body, it forms a depot, which releases a steady amount of the medication’s active ingredient into the bloodstream throughout the month.
The active ingredient is buprenorphine, which is a partial opioid agonist. That means it connects to opioid receptors throughout the brain and spinal cord the same way that traditional opioids would. The difference is that buprenorphine has a ceiling effect. The ceiling effect ensures that you don’t feel “high” when you have buprenorphine in your system, like you would with a traditional opioid, and it prevents you from feeling high if you do take an opioid.
Sublocade is an effective treatment, and you don’t usually have to stay on it forever. The exact timeline differs from person to person, but your doctor will work with you to ensure that you have a safe and comfortable transition once you’re ready to end medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
The Benefits of Sublocade
Sublocade treats OUD by minimizing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings for opioids. It’s common for people recovering from OUD to have a hard time focusing on things other than opioids. Especially in the beginning, cravings for opioids can feel all-encompassing. Sublocade will empower you to focus on other aspects of treatment, like therapy.
Common symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:
- Intense cravings for opioids
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Nausea
- Severe anxiety
There are other options for treating OUD, including Suboxone. What makes Sublocade unique is its extended-release formula. With a medication like Suboxone, you have to remember to take your medication every day to ensure that you don’t feel withdrawal symptoms. With Sublocade, you get a shot once a month and then don’t have to think about medication again until it’s time for your next dose.
Is Sublocade Covered by Medicaid? How to Pay for Treatment
If you live in the state of Virginia, Medicaid, also known as Cardinal Care, covers Sublocade. Sublocade is on Cardinal Care’s list of preferred medications used to treat opioid use disorder. To qualify for treatment with Sublocade under Cardinal Care, you must be over the age of 18. To be prescribed under Cardinal Care, the medication must be used in the context of treating opioid withdrawal symptoms
Cardinal Care may also limit the number of Sublocade shots you can receive throughout 6 months. To get a better understanding of the quantity of Sublocade allotted under your plan, you should talk to your prescribing doctor.
The Cost of Sublocade with Medicaid
Sublocade typically costs people with Medicaid between $1 and $4 a month, depending on their specific plan. For context, this is comparable to Suboxone, which costs someone on Medicaid an average of $3 a month, according to a national study. For people on Medicaid, there is very little difference when paying for Suboxone or Sublocade.
The cost of Sublocade varies for people with commercial insurance. For some, the cost is about the same as it is for those on Medicaid. For others, it could be as much as $1,900 a month.
It’s important that people in recovery can afford their medication. If you’re not sure whether or not you can afford recovery, you should talk to the MAT clinic you’re considering. A good program will work with you to build a payment program that works for your budget.
What’s the Process for Getting on Medicaid?
Cardinal Care is designed to serve as health insurance for people with low incomes in Virginia.
Some of the groups Cardinal Care provides coverage for include:
- Blind people
- Disabled people
- Pregnant women
- People who used to be in foster care
Cardinal Care is a primarily income-based program. As of 2025, any adult between the ages of 19 and 64 who lives alone and makes $21,587 or less is eligible for Medicaid in Virginia. It’s important to note that income is judged by households, not individual incomes. For example, if an adult makes less than $21,500 a year but lives with a parent who makes $60,000 a year, then they aren’t eligible for Medicaid in Virginia.
To find out if you’re eligible for Medicaid in Virginia, you can apply online, or you can call their help center at 1-855-242-8282. You can also fill out a paper application in English or Spanish.
When you apply for Medicaid, you’ll need to have certain pieces of information, including:
- Your full name
- Your date of birth
- Your social security number
- Income information for anyone in your household, including W2s or pay stubs
- Policy numbers for any current health insurance policies
- Information about any other health insurance programs available to your family
You’ll also need to provide information about any additional sources of income, like child support. You’ll also be asked about assets, including properties and vehicles that you own.
If you are an immigrant, you’ll be asked for documents that verify your legal residency status. This could include a green card or other documents to demonstrate where you are in the immigration process.
The more paperwork you can provide, the faster the application process will go. If you miss any pieces of information, the state will send you a letter requesting additional information. Filling out the application typically takes half an hour to an hour of your time.
Getting Sublocade Treatment in Appalachia
No one ever said that breaking the cycle of substance use is easy, but healing is always possible. Sublocade treatment is an important part of managing OUD for many people. The medication will empower you to focus on other aspects of your journey to recovery by minimizing your withdrawal symptoms.
Individual therapy will encourage you to get to the root of your OUD and find healthy coping mechanisms to manage big feelings going forward. In group therapy, you’ll get to connect with others who have had experiences similar to your own. Throughout the course of your recovery, you’ll discover the tools you need.
With locations throughout Virginia, ReVIDA® Recovery is passionately committed to guiding you down the path of recovery as you reclaim your life. We offer flexible outpatient therapy so you can get the care you need while still managing your busy schedule. Our facilities have same-day appointments available so that you can start your opioid use recovery journey. We’ll also connect you with additional resources, including housing, SNAPs, and employment opportunities. If you have any questions or concerns or wish to begin treatment, please contact us at 423-631-0432 today.
ReVIDA® Recovery: Reclaim Your Life
