The Opioid Crisis in the Workplace
The opioid crisis has devastated US workforces. Opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the US, killing more than 80,000 people annually. Many opioid use disorders begin with legitimate prescriptions for pain management — a worker injured on the job receives opioids for pain, develops dependence, and eventually transitions to illicit opioids.
Opioid Prescribing Guidelines
Opioid prescribing guidelines — clinical criteria for when opioids are appropriate, at what doses, and for how long — reduce opioid prescribing by 20–30% without increasing pain or reducing patient satisfaction. Plans that implement prescribing guidelines through prior authorization or step therapy can significantly reduce opioid prescribing and the risk of dependence.
Naloxone Access Programs
IQ Insight
Naloxone (Narcan) is a medication that reverses opioid overdose. It is safe, effective, and increasingly available without a prescription. Employers who provide naloxone access — covering it at $0 cost-sharing, distributing it at the workplace, and training employees on its use — save lives. A single naloxone kit costs $20–$150 and can reverse an overdose that would otherwise be fatal.