Behavioral Health Integration Experts

Massachusetts currently leads the nation in decreasing opioids prescription, according to a Blue Cross Blue Shield report cited by The Boston Herald. Blue Cross Blue Shield's survey illustrated 51 percent fewer opioid prescriptions written in Massachusetts  in 2017 than 2013; specifically, Bay State physicians wrote 193 opioids prescriptions per 1,000 Blue Cross-insured members. The national average is 394 per 1,000 members. The study, published in Preventive Medicine, analyzed data from over 1,000 Americans. In a survey, the researchers queried respondents' attitudes on needle exchanges, (where people can dispose of used syringes and get sterile ones), safe injection sites (where people can use drugs under medical supervision) and broader opinions on addiction.

Although needle exchanges and safe injection sites have numerous studies backing their effectiveness in fighting opioid addiction, a recent study revealed many Americans oppose both — a stigma that could harm the nation's response to the opioid epidemic, Vox reports. The study, published in Preventive Medicine, analyzed data from over 1,000 Americans. In a survey, the researchers queried respondents' attitudes on needle exchanges, (where people can dispose of used syringes and get sterile ones), safe injection sites (where people can use drugs under medical supervision) and broader opinions on addiction.

Although needle exchanges and safe injection sites have numerous studies backing their effectiveness in fighting opioid addiction, a recent study revealed many Americans oppose both — a stigma that could harm the nation's response to the opioid epidemic, Vox reports. The study, published in Preventive Medicine, analyzed data from over 1,000 Americans. In a survey, the researchers queried respondents' attitudes on needle exchanges, (where people can dispose of used syringes and get sterile ones), safe injection sites (where people can use drugs under medical supervision) and broader opinions on addiction.

Hinge Health, a San Francisco startup that developed a 12-week remote monitoring program to reduce chronic knee pain and back pain, has published the results of a randomized control study to illustrate the effectiveness of its program for chronic knee pain. The program is intended to provide a noninvasive alternative to surgery to reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain.

WEA Trust, a Wisconsin-based not-for-profit insurer, does that by protecting patients prescribed opioids for the first time. Its pharmacy utilization management program limits initial opioid prescriptions to a seven-day supply. WEA Trust also collaborates with providers to ensure opioid prescriptions are evidence-based and medically appropriate. In just five months, opiate prescriptions dropped 27 percent, with 91,000 fewer pills dispensed.

WEA Trust, a Wisconsin-based not-for-profit insurer, does that by protecting patients prescribed opioids for the first time. Its pharmacy utilization management program limits initial opioid prescriptions to a seven-day supply. WEA Trust also collaborates with providers to ensure opioid prescriptions are evidence-based and medically appropriate. In just five months, opiate prescriptions dropped 27 percent, with 91,000 fewer pills dispensed.

The first nationwide benchmark study measuring the health care industry’s progress in combating the opioid crisis was released. This important baseline analysis shows the positive steps clinicians and insurance plans have taken together – and identifies specific actions that can be taken to reduce addiction and abuse.

Payers are stretched to the breaking point trying to manage the onslaught of substance use disorder cases. It’s more important than ever to acquire accurate data to help payers and policy makers establish effective and long-lasting opioid crisis measures.