Mass. health insurer targets prescription abuse

BOSTON (AP) - The largest health insurer in Massachusetts is trying to fight prescription painkiller abuse by limiting the amount of pain medication most patients can receive without prior approval from the insurer.

The program by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will allow patients to fill two 15-day prescriptions for the most common opioid drugs, including Percocet and Vicodin.

The Boston Globe reports that to get additional refills, patients will be required to get counseling about the risks of developing an addiction, and Blue Cross will require an agreement that subsequent prescriptions will be written only by the same physician and filled at the same pharmacy or pharmacy chain.

The new rules will not apply to cancer patients and others with terminal illnesses.

The rules are scheduled to start July 1.