Opioid addicts on Long Island and across the state can now get faster access to treatment.

The state Attorney General's Office signed into law a mandate that insurance companies must eliminate their pre-authorization rule, which for some meant days or weeks of waiting for approval. Once insurance companies adopt the change, patients will be able to get 14 days of treatment while their case is being reviewed.

Cigna is the first major insurance company to end its pre-authorization policy.

"The misuse of opioids has taken a terrible toll in America, which is why Cigna is committed to reducing opioid use among our customers by 25 percent in three years," a spokeswoman said in a statement to News 12.

A patient can always appeal a denial by their insurance company or take their case to the state Attorney General's Office. The office's health care help line can be reached at 1-800-428-9071.