Dr. McMichael Interviewed on Opioids & Drug-Free Pain Management

Study results indicate Ohio's largest healthcare payers' coverage may encourage opioid use.

As the lead author of an analysis on Opioids & Ohio's Healthcare Payers, Aaron McMichael, D.C., was recently interviewed on Cover2Resources. The Ohio State Chiropractic Association Opioid Task Force examined whether Ohio's largest private healthcare insurers and public healthcare payers are covering chiropractic and non-drug treatments recommended by state and national pain treatment guidelines:

"The results of this survey indicate Ohio’s largest healthcare payers have not improved or have only minimally improved coverage for alternatives to opioids as recommended. Most, if not all payers, appear to be continuing to provide better coverage for opioid treatment than for non-pharmacologic alternatives like chiropractic. Survey results indicate this coverage is resulting in increased use of prescription opioids and healthcare payers are therefore contributing to the ongoing opioid epidemic in Ohio."

Listen to Dr. McMichael's Interview

The study has generated interest from Ohio legislators in increasing coverage of chiropractic and other pain treatment alternatives to opioids. Click here for more information on the study results and chiropractic as a solution to the opioid epidemic: http://ohiochiro.org/2018-report.html