Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will restrict initial prescriptions of short-acting opioids to five days, and limit subsequent prescriptions and refills to a 30-day supply.
Beginning Feb. 1, BCBSM will work with physicians to implement the restrictions. The insurer said the "common sense step will help our members get the pain management medication their doctors believe is needed, while taking positive steps to address a growing epidemic of addiction and overdose deaths."
BCBSM is also pursuing other efforts to curb opioid misuse, such as creating an opioid provider toolkit. The toolkit offers providers best practices and resources to inform their opioid prescribing.
More articles on opioids:
Aetna to waive copays for opioid overdose antidote Narcan: 3 things to know
Nevada cardiologist arrested on 39 charges of unlawful opioid distribution, healthcare fraud
HHS awards $10k to 3 opioid code-a-thon teams