The surgical setting introduces many patients to opioids. While opioids are inexpensive, they come at a cost. Estimates suggest that greater than 2 million surgical patients become persistent opioid users each year, costing society more than $13 billion annually. Despite their widespread use, 72% to 88% of patients still report moderate-to-severe pain in the first 72 hours after surgery. Non-opioid post-operative pain medications, administered directly into the surgical site, have proven highly effective in managing post-surgical pain and greatly reduce the need for opioids. Employers play a pivotal role in making these new alternatives available to their members.