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Opioid Abuse Epidemic is right here in Ohio…What I’ve Learned

Recently I’ve begun to learn about what has become the nation’s number one health care crisis: opioid use. It was a wake-up call to some astonishing information. The insurance industry, especially health insurance, has begun to feel the devastating effects and so far there is no end in sight. The statistics are alarming:

  • Every 16 minutes, there is a death from opioid overdose
  • 1,375 percent increase in opioid treatment spending over five years
  • 4.5 million Americans estimated to have a substance use disorder associated with prescription painkillers
  • $78.5 billion estimated costs of America’s opioid epidemic

According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention mortality data, death rates for young adults ages 25 to 44 has increased from 139.8 per 100,000 in 2010 to 151.3 per 100,000 in 2015, an increase of 8.2 percent in 5 years. In our own backyard (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania), those increases are 20 percent or more. This is concerning data when you factor in the costs associated and the number of lives destroyed.

In 2016, it is estimated that 59,000 to 65,000 lives were taken from drug overdoses in the U.S. These estimates are conservative, considering unreported or misreported overdose deaths. Compare that with peak car crash death rates in 1972 of 54,589 and peak H.I.V. deaths in 1995 of 50,887.

As opioid use continues to rise, drug overdoses are expected to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. for Americans under age 50. Synthetic opioids, such as Fentanyl and its closely related counterparts, play a major role in driving overdose death numbers to exponential levels. Resources and budgets are strained by the rise in numbers. Increased police, medical care, foster care, and additional administrative burdens have all combined to quickly exceed state and federal budgets.

So, how have we arrived at such outrageous numbers? Some thought-provoking background:

From the mid-1980s through the 2000s:

  1. First publication suggesting the safety of extended opioid use in non-cancer pain
  2. MS Contin approval
  3. OxyContin approval
  4. APS launches “Pain as the Fifth Vital Sign” campaign
  5. Purdue launches $200 million marketing campaign
  6. Multiple new opioid brands and key generics flood market
  7. Opioid Rx volume and death toll skyrocket
  8. Government investigations ensue
  9. Purdue pays $600 million in fines for false promotion
  10. 2012: 259 million opiate Rxs were issued in the U.S.

The opioid use disorder (OUD) epidemic has been driven by the U.S. health care system’s unintentional widespread prescribing of opioid painkillers without realizing the consequences.

  • 80 percent of the world’s supply of all Rx opioids are consumed in the U.S.
  • 92 units is the average number of tablets per Rx. Opioid dependence can start in just a few days. The risk of chronic opioid use increases with each additional day of opioid supplied starting with the third day.
  • 91 percent of patients who experience opioid overdose receive another opioid Rx within 10 months.
  • 80 percent of heroin users report starting on Rx opioids prior to transitioning to heroin.
  • 53 percent of users received opioids free from a friend/relative, while another 16.6 percent took or bought them from a friend/relative.

The CDC publishes guidelines for prescribing opioids which include, but are not limited to:

  • Opioids are not to be the first-line therapy for chronic pain.
  • The short duration of acute pain.
  • Three days of therapy should be sufficient, more than seven days is rarely needed.
  • The lowest effective dose is recommended to start.

Interestingly, 44.7 percent of first-fill opioid prescriptions are NOT in compliance with CDC recommendations.

From an insurer’s perspective, the focus is on methods of treatment and the education of providers. Determining the most effective approach to care in order to provide sustained long-term results is critical. Approaching OUD as a long-term chronic condition, instead of relying solely on short-term interventions, is essential. Each patient is unique and needs dedicated appropriate resources and guidance.

Pairing counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy with approved FDA medication to treat substance abuse disorders and prevent opioid overdose are more effective than behavioral interventions or medication alone. Studies suggest that with this medication-assisted treatment, the chances of remission within a year are significantly greater, up to 50 percent compared to 10 percent with traditional treatment. Along with these figures, this type of treatment costs up to 75 percent less than residential treatment. Education of physicians for this treatment protocol is critical and will take time. However, insurance carriers are responding to the needs rapidly and are developing methods to educate both the providers and the public.

In March of 2017, President Trump created a commission to study the crisis and their interim report has made a number of initial recommendations. As of October 2017, the Trump administration declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency.

As we, together, begin to recognize the scale of this crisis, it is critical that we acknowledge that OUD is an epidemic that does not discriminate. Be it the athlete who is prescribed pain medications for an injury and becomes addicted, or a relative who is recovering from surgery, or any one of the many circumstances in which victims’ lives are taken, let’s not be so quick to judge. Taking a “moral” perspective will not affect change. Instead, we need to come together to find a solution.

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Nikki was fantastic and very friendly. Best quote in town.
aaron hunt
aaron hunt
Excellent customer service
Alan Carrigan
Alan Carrigan
Mark was extremely helpful in navigating us through the various insurance options, how to compare and contrast plans, and the setup our insurance plan to meet our needs. Highly recommend!
Jon K
Jon K
Great service. Great communication. Great people. Thanks Mark and Nikki!
Joe Goney
Joe Goney
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billie2960
billie2960
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Niki Mazur
Niki Mazur
Thank you, Mark! 🙏 Your services make me feel spoiled rotten. You guys always take care of me! You are very thorough and do an amazing job. Even though we are miles away, I feel like we have meet a number of times. Thank you for the videos. They are helpful. I look forward to continuing our relationship as my business grows. You have been with me from the beginning, and I can't imagine working with anyone else.
Libya Binford
Libya Binford
Fine.
Lynn Allen
Lynn Allen
I have been a customer both personally and professionally for many years. I have had always prompt, personal service from Mark and Nikki. They are a great team and always ready to answer any questions I may have. Thanks for being there for me.
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Vickie McClellan
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bailey mohr
I love eGoodwin. They are always so sweet and take care of me better than family. Quick and friendly service. Thank you eGoodwin!
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Jenni Rico
The best insurance agency we’ve ever dealt with! They are always helpful and do their best to find us the most affordable rates. Thank you!!
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Jennese Acker
Always prompt, always polite. Goes the extra mile!
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Roni Saxby
I would prefer to not ever have any other insurance adjuster love Nikki!
bailey mohr
bailey mohr
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Chris Gonzalez
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Steve Moore
I always receive a quick response and they search for the best prices
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Paula Riggs
Love eGoodwin insurance agency. Nikki always goes above and beyond, whenever we call with a problem, or questions.
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John Mcgee
Mark, Nikki and the team at eGoodwin have always taken good care of us. They even contacted us when the insurance landscape changed, and now a different insurance company would be a better deal.We’ve been customers for somewhere around 20 years.
Don Milnor
Don Milnor
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Powell Chamber
Powell Chamber
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TJ
TJ
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Peace Olivia
Peace Olivia
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Katie Petsch
Rates were fair and the staff is very responsive and informative. They are professional and friendly as well.I am starting up a new business and they have helped me quite a bit with business insurance requirements and certifications.
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Howard Zuefle
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Patrick Meagher
Patrick Meagher
Friendly, fast, and helpful. Good people to do business with.
joetrama
joetrama
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Brian Harp
Brian Harp
We went to Mark for a review of our business policies. He is so knowledgeable and answered all our questions. We ended up doing a review of our personal policies as well and found that we were overpaying and had gaps in our policies. Mark was able to find us comprehensive packages to meet all our needs and saved us money! If you haven't done a review of your insurance policies lately I would highly recommend you reach out to Mark. His whole team is so responsive, friendly and they made switching seamless.
Terri Bittner
Terri Bittner
They have been my agent for several years now. Alway dependable when I call to answer the phone and help with and questions I might have.
Tyler Brown
Tyler Brown
I've known Mark for so many years and have worked with him on insuring many facets: home, auto, business, etc. You'll always get a straight answer from him. Thanks Mark and eGoodwin!
Andy Noonan
Andy Noonan
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Alex Ribble
Alex Ribble
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Manuel Pedrozo
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Ashmont Realty
Ashmont Realty
Mark Goodwin and his staff have in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry and provide trustworthy services. They always work in the best interest of their clients. You can rely on eGoodwin Insurance for ALL your insurance needs.
Adele Busch
Adele Busch
I know Mark from a business building network. I am very happy to recommend him as an extremely knowledgeable agent who gives great attention to detail.
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Gloria Thomas
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Ken Cook
Ken Cook
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Tingting Wu
Tingting Wu
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PeterRose VanGurp
PeterRose VanGurp
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Emlah Tubuo
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Trey Noonan
Trey Noonan
I am a mortgage banking professional and work very closely with Mark and his insurance agency. We share referrals...and I am more than happy to refer him to any and all of my clients as his and Nikki's customer service is second to none and their price quotes almost always come in with better coverage and lower premiums! 5 Star review for sure!
Marc Stock
Marc Stock
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Dan Henson
Dan Henson
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Ken Cook
Ken Cook
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Andrew Dickerson
Andrew Dickerson
We have been working with Mark Goodwin from eGoodwin Insurance for decades. He and his staff have provided both our company and my family with reliable, affordable insurance coverage. He is conscientious and devoted to serving his Customers. I would highly recommend Mark Goodwin for both personal and business insurance.
Tim Peacock
Tim Peacock
Quick responses, very helpful, great customer service
Heather Williamson
Heather Williamson
Excellent staff. Mark Goodwin is a great guy and his staff, Nikki, is excellent as well. If Nikki misses a phone call she immediately calls you back when she's available and they are always willing to answer any questions. I have my auto, homeowners and business insurance with eGoodwin Insurance. Mark will do his best to get you a quote that works for your budget.
Kevin Bowyer
Kevin Bowyer
We've used eGoodwin for the business I work for the past couple of years and the willingness to answer questions and help with claims is always done quickly and professionally. The staff is very friendly as well and they found us the lowest rate out of any agency we inquired with.On a personal side, after a tree fell in my yard last year my home owner's insurance (that I did not get through eGoodwin) doubled. I called Mark, and he and Nikki were able to get me a new policy with better coverage and a lower premium than I had before the tree fell.I would (and have) highly recommend Mark and his staff for any insurance needs.
Doug MacClements
Doug MacClements
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M Dowell
M Dowell
Been dealing with Mark and his crew for a long time now. Nikki is a very personable smile that is always willing to go above and beyond for the clients!.
Jesse Pennock
Jesse Pennock
Dear Mark,You and your staff work hard and we are proud of you!Love youMom and Dad
Paula Goodwin
Paula Goodwin
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Darcy Hunley
Darcy Hunley

74 E. Olentangy Street | Powell, Ohio 43065

399 E. Church Street | Marion, Ohio 43302

(740) 387-8335

Disclaimer: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.