Even as claims for opioid addiction and dependence soared almost 500 percent between 2010 and 2016, a report from Blue Cross and Blue Shield indicates more than 1 out of 5 people insured by the company were prescribed an opioid painkiller at least once in 2015.
An NBC News report says the company’s figures on claims and prescriptions—based on coverage of 30 million people with Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance in 2015—bear out expert opinions that “much, if not most, of the opioid overdose epidemic is being driven by medical professionals who are prescribing the drugs too freely.”
It cites the BCS report saying, “Twenty-one percent of Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) commercially insured members filled at least one opioid prescription in 2015. Data also show BCBS members with an opioid use disorder diagnosis spiked 493 percent over a seven year period.”
Recommended For You
Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO, part of your ALM digital membership.
Your access to unlimited BenefitsPRO content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:
- Breaking benefits news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
- Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
- Critical converage of the property casualty insurance and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, PropertyCasualty360 and ThinkAdvisor
Already have an account? Sign In Now
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
