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August 2018

Battling the opioid epidemic: A roundup of news and information

CEO Loepp discusses opioid crisis with business leaders
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan President and CEO Daniel J. Loepp shared some of the results of the company’s efforts in battling the opioid epidemic during the state’s Mackinac Policy Conference in late May. This annual event is sponsored by the Detroit Regional Chamber, and gathers prominent state and national speakers to discuss topics that are important to Michigan.

Loepp was a featured panelist in a discussion titled “Opioids in the Workplace: Impacting Michigan.” He was joined by Penske Corp. President Bud Denker, Gallagher Benefit Services Health Management Director Jenny Love and former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade. For more information, click here.

New Michigan law limits amount of opioids doctors can prescribe
A new state law limits the amount of opioids that doctors are allowed to prescribe patients suffering from acute pain, the Detroit Free Press reported June 28. Effective July 1, 2018, doctors are prohibited from prescribing more than a seven-day supply of opioid medication for patients in acute pain — pain from broken bones, bad backs, short illnesses and most surgeries, pain that's relatively short term.

Doctors won’t be allowed to write refills for the medications until the seven-day period has elapsed. To read more, click here.

Michigan requires providers to provide opioid education before prescribing
On June 1, 2018, the state of Michigan started requiring health care providers to educate patients about opioids before prescribing them to patients. Providers can use the state’s Opioid Start Talking form, or a similar form, when prescribing an opioid.

If providers use a different form, it must cover all the topics used on the Opioid Start Talking form. The form must be completed, signed and saved in the patient’s medical record. For more information about Michigan’s opioid laws, click here.

Study says number of opioid overdose deaths undercounted
According to University of Pittsburgh study, 216 opioid overdose deaths likely went unreported in 2015. That brings the total up to 1,402 accidental opioid overdose deaths in 2015, 14th in the nation. For more about the study, see the Detroit Free Press article titled “Michigan undercounted opioid overdose deaths in 2015, study suggests.”

SAMHSA updates its toolkit
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration updated its Opioid Overdose and Prevention Toolkit. The toolkit is an education resource for community members, first responders, prescribers, patients and families.

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