The American Medical Association, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Medical Society and Manatt Health, released a spotlight analysis of efforts to curb Pennsylvania's opioid epidemic.
The spotlight analysis focused on Pennsylvania's progress with increasing evidence-based care for substance use disorder, providing comprehensive pain care,, and patient access to naloxone.
Here are the four key areas where Pennsylvania made progress:
1. Pennsylvania provided comprehensive support for medication-assisted treatment. This included removing administrative barriers by establishing 45 Centers of Excellence across Pennsylvania.
2. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department better enforced mental health and substance use disorder parity laws.
3. Pennsylvania implemented a standing order to allow over-the-counter access to naloxone, which is used to treat opioid overdoses.
4. Medicaid patients with chronic pain received careful oversight of care plans and expanded access to alternative pain management strategies. Increased therapies include physical and occupational therapy and behavioral health services.
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