Livingston County officials are considering a program that would analyze employee prescription data and encourage providers to transition their patients off opioids.
Commissioner Wes Nakagiri proposed a resolution Aug. 10 to establish the Opioid Prevention and Clinical Risk Reduction Initiative.
The initiative would allow Opioid Free America to access de-identified medical and pharmacy claims from employees covered by the county’s health plan. The organization would analyze how many employees are prescribed opioids and how often their prescriptions are refilled.
According to Dr. Matt McCord, co-founder and executive director of Opioid Free America, patients would remain de-identified, but providers wouldn’t. Those providers would be contacted, informed their patients are showing signs of opioid withdrawal and offered physician education intended to encourage tapering opioid use.
Commissioner Jay Gross asked whether Livingston County could face lawsuits over the use of personal information. McCord said data-use agreements, protections and strict guidelines would govern how the information could be used and help protect the county from liability.
Opioid Free America became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in September 2025, according to the tax-exempt organization database of the IRS. The body’s website includes case studies that claim savings in the millions, though one-page summaries provide limited detail.
The cost of the program, in the first year, would be $75,000 — money officials say could be reimbursed through opioid settlement funds. If approved by the full board, the contract would run for two years with an option for a third year. The claims would be reviewed quarterly.
— Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Livingston County may start contacting employees’ doctors over opioids
Reporting by Tess Ware, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tess Ware, Livingston Daily | USA TODAY Network
