Opioid Use Disorder in the Workplace: Highmark’s Data-Driven Solutions

Opioid use disorder has impacted people across the nation. This is especially true in markets served by Highmark, including western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We stand committed to supporting our communities and helping individuals suffering from opioid use disorder get the care they need through technology, data, and innovation.

Substance use disorder in the American workplace

High-stress deadlines. Post-pandemic anxiety. Marital or family concerns. Financial worries. All these factors, and others, can lead to overuse of illegal and prescription drugs. In the case of opioid use disorder, painful workplace injuries often emerge as the root cause.

Opioid use is especially dangerous in the workplace as it can lead to delayed reactions, slowed thinking, and serious errors or accidents. Employers may have reason to suspect a substance use disorder if an employee exhibits these behaviors:

• Being late for work, frequently calling in sick, or not showing up at all.
• Performing poorly on the job, with a loss of productivity.
• Arriving at work looking unkempt or unclean.
• Having conflicts with coworkers or leaders.
• Stealing from the workplace or coworkers.

Using data to combat opioid overprescribing and misuse

Highmark collaborates with Wayspring, a value-based health care organization, on opioid risk mitigation initiatives. The companies share a goal of delivering whole-person care to individuals, while also solving for broader public health issues.

Wayspring monitors Highmark’s provider network for overprescribing trends and opioid misuse among more than 1 million members. Data scientists collect, analyze, and parse the information to identify high-risk scenarios and individuals.

For example, data may show that a member visited the emergency room or needed hospitalization for an overdose. This same member may have multiple providers prescribing opioids and other controlled substances.

Wayspring merges disparate data, looks for red flags, and contacts providers directly. This integrated, relationship-based approach helps Highmark network providers understand the full scope of a member’s health care journey. 

The collaboration also addresses risks on the population level with broader provider education efforts. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention⁵ published new clinical practice guidelines for opioid prescribing in 2022. Highmark found that many providers were unaware of those changes.

The collaboration with Wayspring has reduced opioid overprescribing among network providers by 50% since 2018. An additional effort is underway to combat stimulant overprescribing and misuse. Legal and illegal stimulant use increased during the pandemic and continues to threaten public health.

Employee health benefits for opioid use disorder

Opioid use disorder does not discriminate across job titles, financial lines, ethnicity, gender, or age. Any employee can be susceptible. Opioid misuse is often unintentional, slowly emerging after a surgery or injury.

Helping workers with opioid use disorder starts with a robust employee health benefits program. People with an addiction need physical and mental health services, along with the privacy to get in-person or virtual care. Employers can offer the following benefits:

_{All references to “Highmark” in this communication are references to Highmark Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and/or to one or more of its affiliated Blue companies.}