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Monday, July 03, 2017

Maryland takes new steps to combat opioid crisis

WASHINGTON — Maryland Medicaid now has a more rigorous authorization process required for prescription opioids and they are encouraging providers to consider non-opioids as a first-line treatment for chronic pain. They have also expanded reimbursement for substance abuse programs.

These new tactics to combat the opioid crisis took effect July 1st, 2017.

“The implementation of these two initiatives help us reach providers and participants by reducing the number of opioids prescribed and ensuring the vital treatment is available to those already grappling with an opioid use disorder,” Secretary Dennis R. Schrader said in a news release.

Former heroin addict turned drug abuse expert Mike Gimbel says the changes by Maryland Medicare are good ones.

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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Democrats want to throw a couple billion at this so they can skim it for pet projects.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely ridiculous to keep brother bringing this up. The opiod crisis is in the street sales

Anonymous said...

Yup

Concerned Retiree said...

Why are there not restrictions on the amount that can be prescribed, such as maximum of 3 refills. If the pain is that great then the DR's should find the problem and treat the problem instead of maintaining the symptoms. Make the DR's responsible and professional. Why do I along with other tax payers have to pay for these addictions instead of the ones responsible? That is what is wrong with our medical care. FDA, AMA and Pharmaceutical companies do not want to find cures. Their money is prescribing maintenance drugs instead of healing drugs where they would lose money. Name one illness cured since Polio. These cures would lower medical care cost. They found out the money would never end if they never found cures. Other Countries have found cures but these three organizations block them from being used in the US.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Absolutely ridiculous to keep brother bringing this up. The opiod crisis is in the street sales

July 3, 2017 at 3:08 PM

I agree. I wonder how much of this crisis is made up

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Concerned Retiree said...
Why are there not restrictions on the amount that can be prescribed, such as maximum of 3 refills. If the pain is that great then the DR's should find the problem and treat the problem instead of maintaining the symptoms. Make the DR's responsible and professional. Why do I along with other tax payers have to pay for these addictions instead of the ones responsible? That is what is wrong with our medical care. FDA, AMA and Pharmaceutical companies do not want to find cures. Their money is prescribing maintenance drugs instead of healing drugs where they would lose money. Name one illness cured since Polio. These cures would lower medical care cost. They found out the money would never end if they never found cures. Other Countries have found cures but these three organizations block them from being used in the US.

July 3, 2017 at 3:33 PM

nonsense

Anonymous said...

Anonymous criticizing Concerned Retiree explain why it is nonsense. They bring up good points which are difficult to deny. The research I have done agrees with them. Where is your proof that they have presented nonsense, since history backs their comments.