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Opioid Awareness

There is great concern about the current epidemic of dependence and deaths related to the misuse and abuse of opioid prescriptions. Independence has created a repository of tools and resources to assist you in managing your patients who are prescribed these medications.

Opioid awareness resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Independence member resources

Substance Abuse: A Strategy to Prevent and Treat Addiction

Pennsylvania Department Drug and Alcohol Programs

Pennsylvania Medical Society

Opioids for Pain: Be Smart. Be Safe. Be Sure.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Research Portfolio on Pain Treatment and Prescription Opioid and Heroin...

American Academy of Pediatrics

Trends in Opioid Prescribing for Adolescents and Young Adults in Ambulatory Care Settings

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)

Pennsylvania Department of Health

PA PMP AWARxE

Communications

Blue
2020 Updates
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  SAMHSA Part 2 Providers must obtain consent to disclose confidential informationPosted: 1/27/2020
Blue
2019 Updates
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  Changes to opioid management for members under 18 years of agePosted: 11/13/2019
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  Save the date! Pennsylvania will host Medication-Assisted Treatment Regional Summits this fallPosted: 9/19/2019
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  No cost-share for Narcan^® and naloxone for Independence members to continue in 2020Posted: 7/31/2019
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  Prior authorization requirement for continuing low-dose opioid therapy now in effectPosted: 4/1/2019
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  Reminder: Prior authorization update regarding low-dose opioid therapyPosted: 2/1/2019
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  Reminder: Proper submission of your MAT recognition form and waiverPosted: 1/9/2019
Blue
2018 Updates
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  Outbreak of life-threatening coagulopathy associated with synthetic cannabinoids usePosted: 12/14/2018
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  Medicare seven-day supply limit for first time opioid fillsPosted: 12/3/2018
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  Prescribing medications for the treatment of opioid addictionPosted: 11/28/2018
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  Update to opioid management initiativePosted: 11/26/2018
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  Updates to opioid coverage policy and formulary managementPosted: 8/7/2018
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  Removal of cost-sharing for naloxone and Narcan^®Posted: 2/20/2018
Blue
2017 Updates
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  Independence initiatives to combat opioid misuse and abusePosted: 8/7/2017
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  Updates to presumptive and definitive drug testing in substance abuse and pain management treatments Posted: 7/7/2017
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  Our policy on opioid management Posted: 6/9/2017
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  Important: Extreme danger posed by carfentanilPosted: 1/18/2017
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  Codeine use in childrenPosted: 1/4/2017
Blue
2016 Updates
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  New Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Monitoring Programsystem now availablePosted: 10/3/2016
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  Behavioral health: Promoting provider communication and collaborationPosted: 7/29/2016
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  Utilization management program for genetic/genomic tests, certain molecular analyses, and cytogenetic tests now in effect Posted: 6/30/2016
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  CDC guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic painPosted: 4/29/2016
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  Opioid abuse epidemic Posted: 1/29/2016
Blue
2015 Updates
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  Appropriate use of Suboxone^®Posted: 6/1/2015
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  Report prescription drug or health care fraudPosted: 5/1/2015
Blue
2014 Updates
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  Things to remember when prescribing narcotic therapy Posted: 12/30/2014
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  Important information on prescribed narcotic therapyPosted: 12/1/2014

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Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, serving the health insurance needs of Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania.