Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declaring a national opioid epidemic and Governor Scott claiming the opioid epidemic in Florida a statewide emergency, Florida Blue is introducing prior authorization and supply limits for use of short-acting opioids for your opioid naïve patients. They're making the changes to ensure appropriate use of opioid analgesics for members suffering from chronic pain, and to protect both patients and their families from the risk of opioid abuse, misuse and diversion, while providing continued access to opioid medications when appropriate.