Canton Repository Publishes Dr. McMichael's Article on Insurance Coverage of Drug-Free Alternatives to Opioids for Pain

Dr. Aaron McMichael and Dr. Jud Sprandel

Doctors Aaron McMichael and Jud Sprandel have been actively working with state and county opioid task force groups to encourage guideline-recommended drug-free treatment for pain before opioids. The Canton Repository published their article on one of the major remaining obstacles preventing patients from accessing this treatment--health care coverage:

"The opioid epidemic has highlighted the necessity of taking a new approach to treating pain, but Ohio's largest health care payers do not appear to be listening.

"Just in time for Drug-Free Pain Management Month, officially recognized in September by Ohio and the city of Canton, a recent analysis of Ohio's largest health care payers indicates they have been reluctant to improve coverage of recommended drug-free pain treatment alternatives. Study results indicate health care coverage often continues to favor prescription opioid use and might be contributing to the ongoing opioid epidemic.
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"Every year Ohio sets a record for drug overdose deaths with no end in sight thus far. As part of the solution, updated treatment guidelines have provided clear recommendations for a new approach to treating non-terminal pain: Use conservative non-pharmacologic options like chiropractic and acupuncture first. Use opioids last, only when needed, and use opioids only in addition to conservative options.

"Health care providers and patients have shown significant interest in pain treatment alternatives. There has been one main barrier to better pain treatment: health care coverage. Health care payers increasingly have restricted coverage for alternatives to pain pills over the years. With one to two years having passed since the publication of updated pain treatment guidelines, it was time to see if health care coverage had improved..."

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Read Article on cantonrep.com