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Buckeye Blog - Taking a Stand on Opioid Misuse

Date: 10/15/19

In 2017, Ohio had the second-highest opioid overdose reported deaths in the U.S.—nearly triple the national average. A shocking 4,293 Ohioans died—22% of them as a result of prescription opioids.

As a country, we’ve got to take a stand. As one of Ohio’s five managed care plans, Buckeye is stepping up to the plate. From our involvement with Governor DeWine’s Opioid Reduction Task Force to developing effective programs, Buckeye is working to promote healthier, safer use of medications and supporting those who struggle with addiction.

Here are just some of the ways Buckeye is working to make a difference in the war on opioid misuse:

  • Addiction in Pregnancy Program supports our pregnant, high-risk members through medication and outpatient therapies as well as counseling and emotional support. Over the past six years, this program has helped to reduce the amount of time opioid-dependent babies stayed in the hospital by 41%. The Addiction in Pregnancy Program also greatly reduced the percentage of preterm deliveries—coming in below the state average of 10.3%. 
  • Pharmacy Coordinated Services Program prevents Buckeye members who misuse opioids from filling duplicate prescriptions by “pharmacy shopping.” Under this program, the amount of Buckeye members who misused opioids decreased 46% from January 2017 to June 2018.
  • BuckeyeRxPlus helps members to easily manage their daily medications—particularly critical for those who take 10+ medications per day. After an in-home prescription assessment and pharmacy review, members are sent a home-delivered pill pack with easy-to-follow doses based on the day and time they should be taken. Buckeye also follows up with providers to ensure they are not excessively prescribing medications. This program has improved our members’ medication adherence rate by nearly 100%!

Although health insurance providers CAN make an impact on the opioid epidemic through preventing addiction and helping those who are addicted to recover, we still need the most important piece of this puzzle—the individual to recognize that there is a problem. Without that, there can be no recovery.

I just saw an ad about how great it is living in “Denial, Ohio.” In the ad, residents of this fictional town in Ohio exclaim how wonderful it is to live in an opioid-free town and how their kids would NEVER misuse drugs. Right. Don’t be fooled—opioid misuse is everywhere. Physical, behavioral and mood changes can all be signs of substance misuse.

Know the signs of opioid misuse

  • Side effects: constipation, nausea, vomiting and dry mouth; sleepiness and dizziness; confusion; decreased breathing; and itching and sweating
  • Addiction behavioral signs: change in peer group; carelessness with grooming; decline in academic performance; missing classes/work; loss of interest in favorite activities; changes in eating or sleeping habits; and deteriorating relationships with family and friends

Where to go for help

  • Ask your doctor for a referral to an addiction medicine professional.
  • Call Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov.
  • Buckeye Health Plan members can call Buckeye Member Services at 1-866-246-4358 (TDD/TTY: 1-800-750-0750) to find an addiction medicine professional and local resources for support.

If you or someone you know has a problem with opioids, please seek help immediately.

 Ron Suprenant, MD, is a Buckeye Health Plan medical director and addiction specialist.