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Opioid Overuse

​What is PEIA Doing about the Opioid Problem?
PEIA is taking a three-pronged approach to dealing with opioid overuse:  intervention, education, and recovery.
Intervention:  We’ve set up a program to make sure those prescribed opioids are getting the best possible care.  In response to the overuse of prescription opioids in our state, the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency and West Virginia University’s School of Pharmacy launched the “Safe and Effective Management of Pain Program” (SEMPP), in November 2016. It is designed to ensure that patients experiencing pain are treated in keeping with the CDC’s “Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain,” which was released last spring. SEMPP pharmacists are working with the physician community in reviewing prescribing patterns; giving providers technical assistance; and conducting case reviews.
PEIA policyholders who received a letter from SEMPP and have questions may call PEIA’s customer service at 1-888-680-7342 for additional information. Physicians with inquiries about the program are advised to contact West Virginia University’s Rational Drug Therapy Program.   PEIA’s policy on the use of opioids may be found here: http://www.peia.wv.gov/Partners/Documents/opioidpolicyfinal.pdf
Education:  We’re also trying to educate our members about opioid use.  If you are interested learning more about pain relief and the appropriate use of opioids, you can access a number of online resources from Consumer Reports’ Choosing Wisely website including:.
 
Recovery:  PEIA has launched a Substance Abuse Treatment pilot project with a few facilities that provide both detox and recovery services, trying to determine what recovery model will work best.  Interested members should contact UMR​ at 1-888-440-7342 for more information or a referral into the program. 
Combatting the opioid problem is a shared responsibility, and PEIA is working to do its part.