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November 2017

Blue Cross task force takes on growing opioid crisis

On the frontline: Battling the opioid epidemic Overdose deaths in Michigan tripled in the last five years with more than 1,000 people treated in emergency departments daily for not using prescription opioids as directed. It’s alarming, though not surprising, that opioid abuse and deaths in the U. S. have reached the level of a natural disaster.

In August, the White House Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis urged the president to declare the opioid crisis a national emergency. Soon after, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan established a task force to advance efforts that were already underway to fight opioid addiction and misuse.

“Opioid abuse is a public health crisis that is growing at a terrifying pace,” said Todd Anderson, Blue Cross’ director of Public Policy. “As Michigan’s largest health insurer with a strong social mission, Blue Cross has a responsibility to address it.”

Anderson and Dr. Duane DiFranco, senior medical director for Blue Cross, are leading the task force. It includes representatives from across the company to ensure a comprehensive, coordinated approach. Its objectives are to:

  • Examine opportunities with providers and members
  • Enhance access to high quality treatment
  • Fight fraud and abuse
  • Improve state and federal laws
  • Provide support for innovative community coalitions that are addressing the crisis
  • Champion a communications effort to educate the public, the media and our members

“Our goal is to establish a plan that helps prevent opioid abuse and enables providers to better identify patients with opioid use disorders — and to more effectively treat them,” DiFranco said.

Following are some facts about the opioid epidemic from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and other key sources. For more details about these statistics, click on links below the graphic.

Fact from the Opioid Epidemic

Sources:

To read more about the information in the graphic, click on the following links:

650,000 prescriptions**
Overdose deaths in Michigan**
BCBSA report**
70% of youth**
One in 4 teens**
McKinsey report**

**Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan doesn’t own or control this website.

No portion of this publication may be copied without the express written permission of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, except that BCBSM participating health care providers may make copies for their personal use. In no event may any portion of this publication be copied or reprinted and used for commercial purposes by any party other than BCBSM.

*CPT codes, descriptions and two-digit numeric modifiers only are copyright 2016 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and
independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.