The National MSP Network Evidence-Based Medicine & Opioid/Narcotics in the MSA Initiative

2011 – MSPN creates EBM Committee.

2012 – MSPN features EBM experts at its conference.

2013 – MSPN initiates opioids in the MSA discussion.

2013 – CMS references EBM in its WCMSA Reference Guide.

2014 – MSPN plans for series on opioids.

2015 – MSPN begins to educate and recruit national leaders on the opioid epidemic in the MSA

2016 – MSPN initiates education series on Opioid In the MSA.  MSPN goes to Washington to meet with key officials on the Opioid in the MSA crisis.  MSPN, through a national press release, calls for limits on opioids in the MSA.

2017 – MSPN works with members of Congress to address the opioid crisis in the MSA.  MSPN issues its second press release on establishing limits in the MSA. MSPN calls for CMS Administrator to address Opioids in the MSA.

2018 – MSPN continues to meet with policy makers to limit opioids in the MSA.

MSPN sends letter to Congress - April 2018

MSPN sent a letter to congressional delegates on April 5, 2018 educating them about MSPN's initiatives in recommending changes to CMS policies relative to MSAs.  View a sample letter here.

Press Release: NAMSAP Says CMS's MSA Policy Institutionalizes Opioid Abuse

The following resources are in support of MSPN's letter to Congress issued April 2018 relative to the opioid epidmic and MSAs.

1. What is Medicare Secondary Payer and What is a Medicare Set-Aside?
2. CMS Reference Guide
3. CMS Submission Quality Improvement Data Analytics
4. CWCI Report: Opioids in Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Asides
5. EBM Committee correspondence with CMS

Additional Resources and Publications

• Opioid Addiction Reduction is Goal of New CMS Rule - Published by Medivest
• CMS Roadmap of opioid abuse strategy
• CMS expectations for Competent Professional Administration of WCMSA funds when "frequently abused drugs" are prescribed