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Despite a decline in drug overdose deaths in 2018, preliminary data shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that national deaths have soared to a record high in 2019. For overdose-related deaths in 2019, the CDC reported 70,980 deaths occurred. Across the U.S., eight states had an increase of more than 20 percent in overdose-related deaths for 2019, with South Dakota leading the pack with a 54.4 percent increase in cases from 2018. Based on early data from 2020, the number of overdose-related deaths is again expected to grow compared to 2019. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the United States, experts worry that the disease is fueling anxiety and social isolation across the nation, thereby increasing substance use. Data released by the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Overdose Mapping Application Program in June showed that overdose-related deaths had increased 11.4% in the first four months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. In Indiana, preliminary data collected by ISDH shows that there was about a 2.6 percent decrease in overdose deaths from 2018 to 2019. Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in overdose trends for 2020.
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The CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control has released a notice asking for input from various stakeholder groups across the country. The Center is looking for approximately 100 volunteers, chosen at random from those who respond, who will be asked to share their perspectives on and experiences with pain and pain management, including the benefits and harms of opioid use. Specifically, the CDC is seeking stakeholders from the following groups to participate: patients with acute or chronic pain, patients’ family members and/or caregivers, clinicians who care for patients with pain or conditions that can complicate pain management (e.g., opioid use disorder or overdose). The information gathered from these interviews will aid the CDC in understanding stakeholders’ values and preferences related to pain and pain management as well as better direct the CDC’s ongoing work to update or expand the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. These conversations will take place via phone call or through an internet-based virtual platform throughout the month of September. Those interesting in volunteering may find information on how to do so here; the window for volunteering is open until Aug. 21.
The Clark County Commissioners have voted unanimously to continue the Clark County syringe exchange program through July 2022. This news comes after ruminating uncertainty as to the fate of the syringe exchange program, which was set to expire at the end of this July. Dr. Eric Yazel, the Clark County Health Officer, advocated on behalf of the program to the commissioners. The program has seen a steady increase in the rate of needles being returned to the program with 69 percent being returned in 2018, 72 percent in 2019, and 82 percent so far for the year 2020. These return rates seen are much higher than other levels across Indiana. Yazel stated that, “Users who obtain needles through a syringe exchange program are four times as likely to dispose of them in a safe manner.” This aids in the decrease of community transmission for blood-borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C, which the syringe exchange program also tests for. The Clark County program has also facilitated instruction on administering Narcan to individuals who are suspected to be experiencing an overdose. As of July 2020, the program has trained 46 individuals on Narcan use this year alone. The renewal of this program is much needed for Clark County as health officials from the county report that they have seen a 300 percent increase in overdose during May after a jump in April.
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Beginning July 1, 2020, the Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) will start to reimburse Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers for administering naloxone. This means EMS providers may bill for naloxone itself as well as the administration of the drug. EMS providers will be trained on how to document naloxone’s National Drug code, found on the side of the drug label, along with other necessary components required for drug claim submission. EMS billing agencies will also receive training on how to properly submit a claim. Recordings of the trainings on the new policies were can be found on IHCP’s website here. For a complete list of the billing details and stipulations, please view the complete program document here. Please email questions to dhscertifications@dhs.in.gov or OMPPProviderRelations@fssa.in.gov.
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