West Virginia requires alternative treatments before opioids

May 10, 2018—A new law in West Virginia aims to reduce the use of opioids by mandating that health practitioners who treat new patients in acute or chronic pain first refer them to any of several alternative treatments before prescribing opioids.

The list of alternatives includes physical therapy, acupuncture, occupational therapy, massage, osteopathic manipulation, chronic pain management program and chiropractic services. The law, S.B. 273, which goes into effect June 7, also requires the Public Employee Insurance Agency, the state Medicaid program and any insurance provider in the state to cover at least 20 visits per case for the alternative treatments.

Source: American Chiropractic Association