Health leaders collaborate to bring opioid treatment database to Florida

Floridians will soon have access to an easy-to-use database that highlights high-quality addiction treatment options available in the state. ATLAS® (which stands for Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards platform) is coming to Florida as part of a collaborative effort to help address the state’s growing opioid epidemic.

Florida Blue, the state’s largest health insurer, and New Directions Behavioral Health, a leading coordinated behavioral health care organization, will collaborate with Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the devastation addiction causes families, to bring the tool to Florida, which is currently only available in six states.

What is ATLAS®?
ATLAS® evaluates addiction treatment providers’ use of evidence-based best practices, and publicly displays this information to support those in need and their loved ones looking for appropriate, quality care. Individuals can search for and compare treatment options using criteria that are important to them – such as location, particular services offered, and insurance accepted. ATLAS® also allows patients to provide feedback on their treatment experience. The platform displays information on all treatment providers for any substance use disorder in a state, including opioid use disorder.

In addition to including a public search function, the platform also offers secure access to critical data for state policymakers, providers, and insurance payers to further drive improvements to the addiction treatment space, fueled by increased accountability and transparency.

Tampa Bay’s Opioid Epidemic
• Tampa Bay’s opioid overdose rate of 23.3 per 100,000 population is 9.75% higher than the State of Florida, and 50.5% higher than the nation.
• Nearly 3 people die every day in Tampa Bay from an opioid overdose, totaling 1,024 deaths in 2019.
• Experts estimate that the economic impact of the opioid epidemic on Tampa Bay is roughly $25 billion lost each year in gross regional product, and 35,000 workers sidelined from the labor force.
• For each opioid addict, the lives of at least 5 to 10 family and friends have also been impacted.

Project Opioid Tampa Bay
In addition to collaborating to bring ATLAS® to Florida, last month the Tampa Bay Partnership formed Project Opioid: Tampa Bay with funding from the Florida Blue Foundation. Project Opioid Tampa Bay is focused on to mobilizing business, philanthropic and faith leaders in our region around a singular mission: to reduce opioid deaths in our community.

In 2017, Florida Blue became the first insurer in the state and one of only a few insurers nationwide to remove OxyContin from its formulary. Florida Blue and its Foundation are among the largest financial contributors to the fight against the opioid crisis in Florida. Since 2018, the Florida Blue Foundation has provided nearly $7.5 million in funding to organizations on the front lines, working across the state to give aid and support to impacted individuals and families.

Expert Quotes
“The overlap of the pandemic and the opioid crisis has caused unprecedented challenges for families and communities across our state,” said Dr. Nick Dewan, vice president of behavioral health for Florida Blue. “We are committed to transforming the quality of addiction treatment, improving transparency for health care consumers and ensuring Floridians have access to the type of care they need.”

“It is now more critical than ever, given the profound uptick in overdoses and the impact that COVID-19 has had on addiction and mental health, that people are able to access a trusted, free resource when in search of quality substance use disorder treatment for themselves or a loved one,” says Jen Velez, Chief Impact Officer, Shatterproof. “Trust is everything. We know that it can be a confusing, scary time when someone is seeking help, and we want to ensure that the information available to find quality care is trusted, unbiased, and meets the person’s needs.”

“The addiction crisis isn’t going away anytime soon without serious intervention,” said Ann O’Grady, Chief Clinical Officer, New Directions. “One of the most significant roadblocks people struggling with substance use disorders are facing right now is simply access to quality care. If we can get an easy-to-use, trustworthy platform in front of people, we’re taking a big step toward addressing that barrier and connecting people to the treatment they need.”

Media Contact:

Christie Hyde DeNave | Senior Director, State & Regional Communications
407.833.7893 office | 321.247.2466 mobile | 904.905.7864 media line
christie.denave@floridablue.com