Officials say the policy, which begins July 1, will prevent physicians from prescribing 60 days of a painkiller for a minor problem such as a sprained ankle. Patients with chronic conditions or terminal illnesses will continue to receive opioid painkillers without interruption, the report said.
By limiting prescriptions, BCBS said it hopes to reduce the risk of addiction and minimize the number of people, particularly juveniles, who obtain painkillers without a prescription. The insurer is believed to be the first in the nation to adopt such an approach for physicians treating patients for pain, the report said.
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