Tobacco Cessation (Stopping the Use of Tobacco)
Tobacco use and vaping cause serious health problems. Quitting can improve your health, protect your loved ones from second hand smoke and save you money. Alliance partners with QuitlineNC to offer free coaching support and nicotine replacement therapy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Quitline NC’s tobacco cessation program offers 14 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy for people with Medicaid. Its e-cigarette and vaping program offer online and texting support, and they have a specialized texting program targeted to teens and young adults. Your provider or Tailored Plan care manager can refer you to QuitlineNC, or you can contact them directly by calling 800-QUITNOW or accessing their webpage, or by calling Member and Recipient Services at 800-510-9132.
Tobacco-Free Campuses
Breathe Easy NC is a statewide initiative to support people with behavioral health conditions, I/DD or TBI in becoming tobacco free by working with service providers to include tobacco use treatment and make campuses tobacco free. To support longer, healthier and happier lives, NC Medicaid requires contracted medical, behavioral health, and some I/DD and TBI organizations to provide 100% tobacco-free campuses as of July 1, 2022. I/DD residential facilities under the home and community-based services (HCBS) rule are not required to be tobacco-free. This requirement improves the health of the people Alliance serve by supporting tobacco cessation and protecting people from secondhand smoke. Get more information on tobacco-free campuses.
Opioid Misuse Prevention Program
Opioids are powerful prescription medicines that can be the right choice for treating severe pain. However, opioids may also have serious side effects, such as addiction and overdose. Alliance Health supports safe and appropriate opioid use through our Opioid Misuse Prevention Program. If you have questions call Member and Recipient Services at 800-510-9132.
Pain Management
For people with chronic pain, responsible use of opioids can be an effective treatment, but the opioid misuse epidemic has called attention to the risks. There are nonopioid medications and other therapies that can be used to manage chronic pain. Your Tailored Plan care manager can help you work with your primary care doctor to connect you to resources to manage your chronic pain. Learn more about pain management.
Lock Your Meds
Make sure your meds do not become part of the problem. Secure them properly or learn about disposal sites and options. Get more information about securing your medications.
Naloxone
Naloxone can help prevent opioid deaths by reversing the effects of opiates. Just like people with allergic reactions may carry epinephrine injectors, people carry naloxone in case of an opioid overdose. Naloxone can be given by a family member, friend or caregiver and often saves lives in the critical minutes until medical help arrives. You can request naloxone, without a prescription, at a pharmacy or your local health department through the North Carolina Standing Order for Naloxone. Get more information on Naloxone and participating pharmacies.
Treatment
For people misusing opiates, recovery is possible. Alliance offers substance use treatment including medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Your care manager can help link you to treatment or you can find a provider by calling Member and Recipient Services at 800-510-9132 or by visiting the Alliance website.
Pharmacy Lock In Program
The Alliance Health Pharmacy Lock-In Program helps identify members at risk for possible overuse or improper use of pain medications (opioid analgesics) and nerve medications (benzodiazepines and certain anxiolytics). The Alliance Health Pharmacy Lock-In Program also helps identify members who get the medicines from more than one prescriber (doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant). If you qualify for this program, Alliance Health will only pay for your pain medicines and nerve medicines when:
- Your medicines are ordered by one prescriber. You will be given a chance to pick a prescriber in Alliance Health’s network.
- You have these prescriptions filled from one pharmacy. You will be given a chance to pick a pharmacy in Alliance Health’s network.
If you qualify for the Alliance Health Pharmacy Lock-In Program, Alliance will notify you in writing that you are subject to the Lock-In Program, and you will be in the program for a 2-year period. If you do not agree with our decision that you should be in the program, you can appeal our decision before you are placed in the program.
Complex Case Management Program
There may be times when you are experiencing a serious illness, have visited the hospital or emergency room several times, or need support in managing more than one medical problem. An Alliance Complex Case Manager is here to help.
We use data and clinical information to find members who may need help in finding the services you need, finding the services near where you live, teach you how to find and get other services, and make sure you are getting the services you need.
If Alliance has not called you and you feel that you need extra help, please call Member and Recipient services at 800-510-9732.
