Congressional Quarterly (10/4, Williams, Subscription Publication) reports “opioid use among Medicare patients has fallen by 18 percent in recent years but remains widespread.” Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) experts reviewed data “showing nearly one in three enrollees in the government health program filled at least one opioid prescription in 2016.” Rachel Schmidt, a principal policy analyst for MedPAC, said, “Even though it’s cut back some, it’s still a lot of people.” The commission sees a need for better opioid tracking at hospitals and is expected to final recommendations due to Congress in March.
Related Links:
— “Congressional Quarterly, Subscription Publication, October 4, 2018.