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Opioids in Medicaid: concerns about opioid use among beneficiaries in six Appalachian states in 2018
Opioids in Medicaid: concerns about opioid use among beneficiaries in six Appalachian states in 2018
- Collection:
- Health Policy and Services Research
- Series Title(s):
- Data snapshot
- Contributor(s):
- United States. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Inspector General. Office of Evaluation and Inspections, issuing body.
- Publication:
- [Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, December 2020
- Language(s):
- English
- Format:
- Text
- Subject(s):
- Government Regulation
Inappropriate Prescribing -- statistics & numerical data
Medicaid -- legislation & jurisprudence
Opioid-Related Disorders -- prevention & control
Appalachian Region
United States
United States. Department of Health and Human Services - Genre(s):
- Technical Report
- Abstract:
- Opioid abuse and overdose deaths remain at crisis levels in the United States generally and the Appalachian region under review in this data snapshot. In 2018, an estimated 9.9 million Americans misused prescription opioids, and nearly 47,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses. In 2017, Appalachian counties had an opioid overdose death rate that was 72 percent higher than in non-Appalachian counties throughout the country. Opioids include narcotics intended to manage pain. They can create a euphoric effect, which makes them vulnerable to abuse and misuse (i.e., being taken in a way other than prescribed). Although opioids can be appropriate under certain circumstances, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is concerned about the abuse and misuse of opioids and fraud associated with opioids, including drug diversion—the redirection of prescription drugs for an illegal purpose, such as recreational use or resale. Multiple reports from across the six Appalachian States show dramatic increases in opioid-related overdoses and deaths since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and challenges posed by the pandemic may be contributing to these increases. Some Medicaid programs have relaxed rules related to telehealth and opioid prescribing, suspending safeguards—like face-to-face visits with prescribers—that are intended to help ensure the safety of beneficiaries receiving prescription opioids. Additionally, shelter-in-place and social distancing orders intended to slow the pandemic’s spread may have reduced access to in-person screenings for opioid misuse and addiction treatment facilities. These orders may also contribute to a sense of isolation that can trigger opioid misuse. This data snapshot is part of a larger strategy by OIG to fight the opioid crisis and protect beneficiaries from prescription drug misuse and abuse. As part of this strategy, OIG is partnering with other law enforcement agencies and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force, bringing together resources and expertise to fight the opioid crisis in six States. This data snapshot focuses on opioid use in 2018 in those six States: Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Other OIG work that is part of this strategy includes data briefs on opioid use in Medicare Part D both nationally and in the Appalachian region as well as in the Ohio Medicaid program; factsheets that describe the oversight of opioid prescribing and monitoring of opioid use in five of the six Appalachian States included in this review;8 and reviews of access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
- Copyright:
- The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
- Extent:
- 1 online resource (1 PDF file (11 pages))
- Illustrations:
- Illustrations
- NLM Unique ID:
- 9918283580006676 (See catalog record)
- Permanent Link:
- http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9918283580006676