Opioid crisis

Use the tools on this page to learn about the Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) Opioid Prescribing Report and other HCA activities addressing the opioid crisis.

Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) Opioid Prescribing Report

Project goal

The goal of this project is to address the opioid crisis and ensure patient safety and quality health care.

Collaboration

The Health Care Authority (HCA) works with providers and community stakeholders to fully address the opioid crisis.

Addressing the opioid crisis

The use of opioids has been in existence for centuries to treat pain; however, the potentially addictive nature of these drugs has ultimately led to what is now dubbed the opioid crisis. Overprescribing of prescription opioids has led to abuse, substance use disorder, and for many, death. 

The opioid overdose death rate for Medicaid enrollees was more than four times higher than the overall Washington State population during 2006 to 2012 (RDA, 2015). 

Washington is working on the opioid crisis by addressing the key components outlined by Governor Jay Inslee’s Executive Order 16-09. To achieve this, we are partnering with other state agencies through funding from the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) grant Prevention for States.