Highmark offers opioid use disorder resources to customers

Employers offering Highmark insurance to their employees now have access to a suite of opioid use disorder educational tools through a national nonprofit.

Pittsburgh-based Highmark announced on Tuesday that a series of five-minute videos and resources meant to educate employers on the facts behind opioid use disorder are now available to its employer-based members.

The resources include information on the environmental and genetic risks, signs and symptoms and how to help individuals suffering from opioid use disorder.

Employers insured by Highmark can access the resources through Shatterproof, a national nonprofit focused on reversing the national opioid addiction crisis.

Highmark’s decision to offer the resources came from a community survey the insurer conducted last year in its core markets throughout Pennsylvania.

In the survey, 80 percent of respondents claimed opioid dependence is mostly or somewhat the fault of the person, and three-quarters of respondents said it was important to encourage friends and family to seek care for opioid dependence.

“Across the communities that we serve, we found that stigma associated with opioid use disorder is widespread,” said Deb Rice-Johnson, president of Highmark. “And yet, despite that stigma, we found that people want to help someone who is struggling with opioid dependence. Our collaboration with Shatterproof will help fight stigma so that opioid use disorder is viewed as a chronic disease, rather than a moral failing. It will also equip workplaces and our members with the knowledge and resources to start a conversation about opioids and help those in need.”