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Prescription Opioids: Voluntary Medicare Drug Management Programs to Control Misuse

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date May 20, 2019
Release Date May 20, 2019
Report No. GAO-19-446
Summary:

Medicare's drug management programs identify beneficiaries at risk of abusing opioids and take steps to reduce their risk. These programs look at factors that can contribute to opioid abuse and misuse, such as being prescribed a high daily dosage or receiving opioids from multiple prescribers.

Health care providers then review each case. If they decide a patient is at risk, this may trigger more limits on opioid availability, such as limiting a beneficiary to one prescriber. Those designated at risk may appeal. Patients who are receiving end-of-life care are among those exempted from these reviews.

A pill bottle on its side with white pills spilling out of it.

A pill bottle on its side with white pills spilling out of it.

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