Cost and Comorbidities Associated with Opioid Abuse in Managed Care and Medicaid Patients in the United States: A Comparison of Two Recently Published Studies

Opioid Use, Gut Dysbiosis, Inflammation, and the Nervous System

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is defined as the chronic use or misuse of prescribed or illicitly obtained opioids and is characterized by clinically significant impairment. The etiology of OUD is multifactorial as it is influenced by genetics, environmental factors, stress response and behavior. Given the profound role of the gut microbiome in health and disease states, in recent years there has been a growing interest to explore interactions between the gut microbiome and the central nervous system as a causal link and potential therapeutic source for OUD. This review describes the role of the gut microbiome and opioid-induced immunopathological disturbances at the gut epithelial surface, which collectively contribute to OUD and perpetuate the vicious cycle of addiction and relapse.

Effect of Perioperative Opioid Use on Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy

Background

Opioids are commonly used to treat postoperative pain; however, guidelines vary regarding safe opioid use after hip arthroscopy.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The purposes were to (1) identify risk factors for persistent opioid use, (2) assess the effect of opioid use on outcomes, and (3) describe common opioid prescribing patterns after hip arthroscopy. It was hypothesized that preoperative opioid use would affect complication rates and result in greater postoperative opioid use.

Study Design

Case-control study; Level of evidence 3.

Methods

The Utah State All Payer Claims Database was queried for patients who underwent hip arthroscopy between January 2013 and December 2017. Included were patients ≥14 years of age at index surgery with continuous insurance. Patients were separated into acute (<3 months) and chronic (≥3 months) postoperative opioid use groups. Primary outcomes included revision surgery, complications (infection, pulmonary embolism/deep venous thrombosis, death), emergency department (ED) visits, and hospital admissions. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to identify factors associated with the outcomes.

Results

Included were 2835 patients (mean age, 47 years; range, 14-64 years), of whom 2544 were in the acute opioid use and 291 were in the chronic opioid use group. Notably, 91% of the patients in the chronic group took opioid medications preoperatively, and they were more than twice as likely to carry a mental health diagnosis (P < .01). Patients in the acute group had a significantly shorter initial prescription duration, took fewer opioid pills, and had fewer refills than those in the chronic group (P < .01 for all). Patients in the chronic group had a significantly higher risk of postoperative ED visits (odds ratio [OR], 2.76; P = .008), hospital admission (OR, 3.02; P = .002), and additional surgery (P = .003), as well as infection (OR, 2.55; P < .001) and hematoma (OR, 2.43; P = .030). Patients who had used opioids before hip arthroscopy were more likely to need more refills (P < .01). A formal opioid use disorder diagnosis correlated significantly with postoperative hospital admissions (OR, 3.83; P = .044) and revision hip arthroscopy (OR, 4.72; P = .003).

Conclusion

Mental health and substance use disorders were more common in patients with chronic postoperative opioid use, and chronic postoperative opioid use was associated with greater likelihood of postoperative complications. Preoperative opioid use was significantly correlated with chronic postoperative opioid use and with increased refill requests after index arthroscopy.

The Financial Burden of Opioid-Related Abuse among Surgical and Non-Surgical Patients in Florida: A Longitudinal Study

Florida is one of the eight states labeled as a high-burden opioid abuse state and is an epicenter for opioid use and misuse. The aim of our study was to measure multi-year total room charges and costs billed for opioid abuse-related events and to compare the costs of inpatient opioid abusers and non-opioid abusers for Florida hospitals from 2011 to 2017. We constructed a retrospective case-control longitudinal study design on inpatient administrative discharge data across 173 hospitals. Opioid abuse was defined using both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM systems. We found a statistically significant association between opioid abuse diagnosis and total room charge. On average, opioid abuse status increased the room charges by 8.1%. We also noticed year-to-year variations in opioid abuse had a remarkable influence on hospital finances. We showed that since 2015, the differences significantly increased from 4–5% to 13–14% for both room charges and cost, which indicates the financial burden due to opioid abuse becoming more frequent. These findings are important to policymakers and hospital administrators because they provide crucial insight into Florida’s opioid crisis and its economic burden on hospitals.

Outcomes of a 6-week Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain Group for veterans seen in primary care

Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI) visits are mandated to be brief, limited in number, and delivered in the primary care practice area. Current evidence-based protocols for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) do not meet these PC-MHI requirements, however, and thus PC-MHI providers are often left with the daunting task of modifying these protocols for the primary care setting. The aims of the current study were to examine effectiveness for a brief CBT-CP Group (6, 50-min sessions) for patients seen in primary care with various chronic pain conditions and to assess whether opioid medication use was associated with treatment outcomes. The current study represents a single-arm treatment study in which outcomes were evaluated by comparing self-reported symptom levels at the beginning of treatment (Session 1) to the end of treatment (Session 6). Dependent variables included pain symptoms, physical function lower/upper body, family disability, emotional functioning, sleep problems, satisfactions with outcomes/care, pain-related anxiety, generalized anxiety, pain catastrophizing, and depressed mood. Seventy-seven participants were enrolled and completed the treatment group. They were 56.81 ± 13.11 years old, 61% male, 51.9% taking opioids, with 39% reporting multiple pain diagnoses. Results showed that participation in the Brief CBT-CP Group resulted in statistically significantly improvement across all dependent variables (except emotional functioning). Results also showed that there were no significant treatment-related differences between patients taking opioids compared with patients who were not on opioids. The current protocol for Brief CBT-CP is effective in a real-world setting and aligns with the PC-MHI model of care.

Increased health care costs associated with new persistent opioid use after major surgery in opioid-naive patients

BACKGROUND: Opioid use after surgery is associated with increased health care utilization and costs. Although some studies show that surgical patients may later become persistent opioid users, data on the association between new persistent opioid use after surgery and health care utilization and costs are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To compare health care utilization and costs after major inpatient or METHODS: The IBM MarketScan Research databases were used to identify opioid-naive patients with major inpatient or outpatient surgeries and at least 1 year of continuous enrollment before and after this index surgery. Cohorts were stratified by new persistent opioid utilization status, setting of surgery (inpatient, outpatient), and payer (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid). Patients were considered new persistent opioid users if they had at least 1 opioid claim 4-90 days after index surgery and at least 1 opioid claim 91-180 days after index surgery. Patients with opioid prescription claims between 1 year and 15 days before their index event were excluded. Health care utilization and costs (excluding index surgery) were measured in the 1-year period after surgery. Predicted costs and cost ratios were estimated using multivariable log-linked gamma-family generalized linear models. RESULTS: In the inpatient cohorts, 827,583 commercial, 186,154 Medicare, and 104,734 Medicaid patients were included in the study, and the incidence of new persistent opioid use in these cohorts was 4.1%, 5.6%, and 7.1%, respectively. In the outpatient cohorts, 1,542,565 commercial, 390,876 Medicare, and 94,878 Medicaid patients were selected, with 2.0%, 1.5%, and 6.4% new persistent opioid use, respectively. Across all 3 payers in both surgical settings, patients with new persistent opioid use had a higher comorbidity burden and more use of concomitant medications in the baseline period. In the 1-year period after index surgery, patients with new persistent opioid use had more inpatient admissions, emergency department visits, and ambulance/paramedic service use than patients without persistent use, regardless of payer and setting. Patients with new persistent opioid use had approximately 5 times more opioid prescriptions and also had more nonopioid pharmacy claims than those without persistent use across all cohorts. After covariate adjustment, predicted 1-year total health care costs were significantly higher for patients with new persistent opioid use compared with those without persistent use for all comparisons (commercial inpatient: $29,499 vs. $11,798; Medicare inpatient: $34,455 vs. $21,313; Medicaid inpatient: $14,622 vs. $6,678; commercial outpatient: $18,751 vs. $7,517; Medicare outpatient ($26,411 vs. $13,577; Medicaid outpatient: $12,381 vs. $6,784; all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: New persistent opioid use after major surgery in opioid-naive patients is associated with increased health care utilization and costs in the year after surgery across all surgical settings and payers. DISCLOSURES: Funding for this study was provided by Heron Therapeutics, which participated in analysis and interpretation of data, drafting, reviewing, and approving the publication. All authors contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the data and development of the publication and maintained control over the final content. England and Evans-Shields are employees of Heron Therapeutics. Kong, Lew, Zimmerman, and Henriques are employees of IBM Watson Health, which was compensated by Heron Therapeutics for conducting this research. Brummett is a paid consultant for Heron Therapeutics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Alosa Health and provides expert testimony. He further reports receipt of research funding from MDHHS (Sub K Michigan Open), NIDA (Centralized Pain Opioid Non-Responsiveness R01 DA038261-05), NIH0DHHS-US-16 PAF 07628 (R01 NR017096-05), NIH-DHHS (P50 AR070600-05 CORT), NIH-DHHS-US (K23 DA038718-04), NIH-DHHS-US-16-PAF06270 (R01 HD088712-05), NIH-DHHS-US-17-PAF02680 (R01 DA042859-05), and UM Michigan Genomics Initiative and holds a patent for peripheral perineural dexmedetomidine. Sun reports funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (K08DA042314) as well as consulting fees from the Mission Lisa Foundation that are unrelated to this work.

Estimating costs of hospitalizations associated with opioid use disorder or opioid misuse at a large, urban safety-net hospital-Denver, Colorado, 2017

INTRODUCTION

The national and state economic burden of the opioid crisis is substantial. This study estimated the number of hospitalizations associated with opioid use disorder (OUD) or opioid misuse (OM) and the cost of those hospitalizations at Denver Health (DH) Medical Center, a large, urban safety-net hospital.

METHODS

For 2017, direct inpatient medical costs for hospitalizations associated with OUD or OM at DH Medical Center were estimated and categorized by group and insurance type. Data were from the DH electronic health records database that included charge data. Hospitalizations associated with OUD or OM were identified using diagnostic codes and an expanded set of inclusion criteria including diagnostic codes, opioid withdrawal assessments, opioid-related admission notes, and medication prescriptions to treat OUD. Costs were estimated using cost-to-charge ratios specific to DH.

RESULTS

During 2017, 220 hospitalizations, $9,834,979 in total charges, $3,690,724 in estimated total costs, and $2,115,990 in total reimbursements were identified using diagnostic codes. Using the most expansive set of inclusion criteria, 739 hospitalizations, $35,033,157 in total charges, $13,346,099 in estimated total costs, and $7,020,877 in total reimbursements were identified. Of the 739 hospitalizations, Medicaid covered 546 hospitalizations (74 %), the largest proportion of total reimbursement (65 %), with estimated total costs of $10,135,048 (77 %).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified considerable costs for hospitalizations associated with OUD or OM for DH. Estimating costs for hospitalizations associated with OUD or OM through use of expanded inclusion methodology can guide future program planning to allocate resources efficiently for hospitals such as DH Medical Center.

Insurance-Associated Disparities in Opioid Use and Misuse Among Patients Undergoing Gynecologic Surgery for Benign Indications

OBJECTIVE

To compare perioperative use and persistent postoperative opioid use among Medicaid-insured women and commercially insured women who underwent gynecologic surgery for benign indications.

METHODS

The Truven Health MarketScan database, a nationwide data source collecting commercial insurance claims across all states and Medicaid insurance claims from 12 states, was used to identify opioid-naïve women without cancer aged 18-64 years who underwent common gynecologic surgeries from 2012 to 2016 and filled a prescription for an opioid perioperatively. Persistent opioid use was defined as filling an opioid prescription 90-180 days after the surgery. Opioid use disorder (OUD) was defined as hospitalizations or emergency department visits for opioid dependence, misuse, or overdose. Multivariable models were developed to examine the insurance-associated disparity in persistent opioid use and OUD.

RESULTS

A total of 31,155 Medicaid-insured women and 270,716 commercially insured women were identified. Medicaid-insured women received greater quantities of opioids and for longer durations than did commercially insured women. Persistent postoperative opioid use was identified in 14.1% of Medicaid-insured women and 5.8% of commercially insured women (P<.001). More opioid prescriptions filled, longer days supplied, and higher total doses perioperatively contributed most to the prediction of persistent opioid use. Medicaid-insured patients who persistently used opioids were two times more likely to develop OUD than commercially insured patients (16.8% vs 5.1% adjusted relative risk 1.99; 99% CI 1.26-3.15).

CONCLUSION

Medicaid-insured women received larger quantities of opioids perioperatively, were more likely to use them persistently, and were more likely to develop OUD than commercially insured women.

Conversion to Persistent or High-Risk Opioid Use After a New Prescription From the Emergency Department: Evidence From Washington Medicaid Beneficiaries

STUDY OBJECTIVE

We describe the overall risk and factors associated with transitioning to persistent opioid or high-risk use after an initial emergency department (ED) opioid prescription.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of Washington Medicaid beneficiaries was performed with linked Medicaid and prescription drug monitoring program files. We identified adults who had no record of opioid prescriptions in the previous 12 months, and who filled a new opioid prescription within 1 day of an ED discharge in 2014. We assessed the risk of persistent opioid use or high-risk prescription fills within 12 months after the index visit. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between pertinent variables and conversion to persistent or high-risk use.

RESULTS

Among 202,807 index ED visits, 23,381 resulted in a new opioid prescription. Of these, 13.7% led to persistent or high-risk opioid prescription fills within 12 months compared with 3.2% for patients who received no opioids at the index visit. Factors associated with increased likelihood of persistent opioid or high-risk prescription fills included a history of skeletal or connective-tissue disorder; neck, back, or dental pain; and a history of prescribed benzodiazepines. The highest conversion rates (37.3%) were observed among visits in which greater than or equal to 350 morphine milligram equivalents were prescribed. Conversion rates remained greater than 10% even among visits resulting in lower-dose opioid prescriptions.

CONCLUSION

Medicaid recipients are at moderate risk for conversion to persistent or high-risk opioid use after a new ED prescription. Longer or higher-dose prescriptions are associated with increased risk for conversion; however, even visits that lead to guideline-concordant prescriptions bear some risk for long-term or high-risk use.

Association of opioid use and peripheral artery disease

BACKGROUND

Prescription opioids account for 40% of all U.S. opioid overdose deaths, and national efforts have intensified to reduce opioid prescriptions. Little is known about the relationship between peripheral artery disease (PAD) and high-risk opioid use. The objectives of this study were to evaluate this relationship and to assess the impact of PAD treatment on opiate use.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, the Truven Health MarketScan database (Truven Health Analytics, Ann Arbor, Mich), a deidentified national private insurance claims database, was queried to identify patients with PAD (two or more International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis codes of PAD ≥2 months apart, with at least 2 years of continuous enrollment) from 2007 to 2015. Critical limb ischemia (CLI) was defined as the presence of rest pain, ulcers, or gangrene. The primary outcome was high opioid use, defined as two or more opioid prescriptions within a 1-year period. Multivariable analysis was used to determine risk factors for high opioid use.

RESULTS

A total of 178,880 patients met the inclusion criteria, 35% of whom had CLI. Mean ± standard deviation follow-up time was 5.3 ± 2.1 years. An average of 24.7% of patients met the high opioid use criteria in any given calendar year, with a small but significant decline in high opioid use after 2010 (P < .01). During years of high opioid use, 5.9 ± 5.5 yearly prescriptions were filled. A new diagnosis of PAD increased high opioid use (21.7% before diagnosis vs 27.3% after diagnosis; P < .001). A diagnosis of CLI was also associated with increased high opioid use (25.4% before diagnosis vs 34.5% after diagnosis; P < .001). Multivariable analysis identified back pain (odds ratio [OR], 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.84-1.93; P < .001) and illicit drug use (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.72-2.03; P < .001) as the highest predictors of high opioid use. A diagnosis of CLI was also associated with higher risk (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.57-1.64; P < .001). A total of 43,443 PAD patients (24.3%) underwent 80,816 PAD-related procedures. After exclusion of periprocedural opioid prescriptions (4.9% of all opioid prescriptions), the yearly percentage of high opioid users increased from 25.8% before treatment to 29.6% after treatment (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with PAD are at increased risk for high opioid use, with nearly one-quarter meeting described criteria. CLI and treatment for PAD additionally increase high opioid use. In addition to heightened awareness and active opioid management, our findings warrant further investigation into underlying causes and deterrents of high-risk opioid use.

Integration of Buprenorphine Treatment with Primary Care: Comparative Effectiveness on Retention, Utilization, and Cost

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a national crisis. Health care must achieve greater success than it has to date in helping opioid users achieve recovery. Integration of comprehensive primary care with treatment for OUD has the potential to increase care access among the substance-using population, improve outcomes, and reduce costs. However, little is known about the effectiveness of such care models. The Comprehensive Care Practice (CCP), a primary care practice located in Maryland, implemented a care model that blends buprenorphine treatment for OUD with attention to primary care needs. This study evaluates the model by comparing patients with OUD treated in CCP and other Maryland facilities in a large state Medicaid program. Compared to the non-CCP patient group (n = 867), the CCP group (n = 131) had a higher 6-month buprenorphine treatment retention rate (79% vs. 61%, adjusted average marginal effect (AME) = 0.17, P < 0.001). CCP patients also had fewer hospital stays in the 12-month follow-up period (0.22 vs. 0.41, AME = -0.17, P = 0.005), and lower total cost (US$10,942 vs. $13,097, AME = -$4554, P < 0.001) and hospital stay cost (US$1448 vs. $4265, AME = -$2609, P = 0.001), but higher buprenorphine pharmacy cost (US$3867 vs. $2781, AME = $987, P < 0.001). Other measures, including emergency department utilization and cost, substance abuse cost, and non-buprenorphine pharmacy cost, were not statistically different between the 2 groups. Results suggested that patients, as well as the health care system, can benefit from an integrated model of buprenorphine treatment and primary care for OUD with better treatment retention, fewer hospital stays, and lower costs.

Risks of opioid abuse among uninsured primary care patients utilizing a free clinic

The annual number of opioid prescriptions for pain relief has been increasing in the United States. This increase has raised concerns about prescription opioid abuse and overdose. The purpose of this study was to examine opioid risks (risk factors that increase the chance of opioid abuse) among uninsured primary care patients utilizing a free clinic. Data were collected using a self-administered paper survey in the waiting room of the free clinic from May to July 2017 (N = 506). Higher levels of somatic symptoms were associated with higher levels of opioid risks. U.S.-born English speakers had higher levels of opioid risk than non-U.S.-born English speakers and Spanish speakers. Being employed was associated with higher levels of opioid risk while attending college or being postcollegiate was related to lower levels of opioid risk. Research surrounding best practices, prescription trends, and population risk is vital in driving health and social policy. Further research would benefit from examining where people are obtaining opioids. In addition, further research on opioid abuse among Hispanic populations would be beneficial. Finally, future studies should examine how prescribing practices are different among free clinic health professionals in comparison to health care professionals working in-patient or at for-profit clinics.

Healthcare costs and utilization associated with high-risk prescription opioid use: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies on high-risk opioid use have only focused on patients diagnosed with an opioid disorder. This study evaluates the impact of various high-risk prescription opioid use groups on healthcare costs and utilization.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study using QuintilesIMS health plan claims with independent variables from 2012 and outcomes from 2013. We included a population-based sample of 191,405 non-elderly adults with known sex, one or more opioid prescriptions, and continuous enrollment in 2012 and 2013. Three high-risk opioid use groups were identified in 2012 as (1) persons with 100+ morphine milligram equivalents per day for 90+ consecutive days (chronic users); (2) persons with 30+ days of concomitant opioid and benzodiazepine use (concomitant users); and (3) individuals diagnosed with an opioid use disorder. The length of time that a person had been characterized as a high-risk user was measured. Three healthcare costs (total, medical, and pharmacy costs) and four binary utilization indicators (the top 5% total cost users, the top 5% pharmacy cost users, any hospitalization, and any emergency department visit) derived from 2013 were outcomes. We applied a generalized linear model (GLM) with a log-link function and gamma distribution for costs while logistic regression was employed for utilization indicators. We also adopted propensity score weighting to control for the baseline differences between high-risk and non-high-risk opioid users.

RESULTS

Of individuals with one or more opioid prescription, 1.45% were chronic users, 4.81% were concomitant users, and 0.94% were diagnosed as having an opioid use disorder. After adjustment and propensity score weighting, chronic users had statistically significant higher prospective total (40%), medical (3%), and pharmacy (172%) costs. The increases in total, medical, and pharmacy costs associated with concomitant users were 13%, 7%, and 41%, and 28%, 21% and 63% for users with a diagnosed opioid use disorder. Both total and pharmacy costs increased with the length of time characterized as high-risk users, with the increase being statistically significant. Only concomitant users were associated with a higher odds of hospitalization or emergency department use.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with high-risk prescription opioid use have significantly higher healthcare costs and utilization than their counterparts, especially those with chronic high-dose opioid use.

The Effect of a Federal Controlled Substance Act Schedule Change on Hydrocodone Combination Products Claims in a Medicaid Population

BACKGROUND

In 2012, hydrocodone combination products (HCPs) were the most prescribed medications in the United States. Under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, hydrocodone alone was classified as a Schedule II drug, while HCPs were classified as Schedule III, indicating a lower risk for abuse and misuse. However, according to a Drug Enforcement Agency analysis, the addition of nonopioids has not been shown to diminish abuse potential of hydrocodone. In response to concerns for drug abuse and overdose, the Drug Enforcement Agency rescheduled HCPs to Schedule II in October 2014, with the intent of limiting overprescribing and increasing awareness of their abuse potential. However, it is unknown whether this has affected the overall claims for HCPs in a Medicaid population.

OBJECTIVES

To (a) compare the trend in HCP prescription claims with select non-HCP (opioid and nonopioid) analgesic claims before and after the HCP schedule change in the Massachusetts Medicaid fee-for-service/Primary Care Clinician plan population and (b) identify if there was a change in HCP new start member and claim characteristics before and after the HCP schedule change.

METHODS

This quasi-experimental, retrospective study used enrollment and pharmacy claims data to evaluate all members in the study population 1 year before and after the HCP schedule change. The number of claims for HCPs and select non-HCP analgesics was reported as the monthly rate per total population, and an interrupted time series analysis compared the change in the monthly rate of claims across groups. Members with 1 or more pharmacy claims for a new HCP prescription during a 5-month period before or after the HCP schedule change were analyzed to determine member demographics (age, gender, and number of claims) and claim characteristics (average daily dose, average quantity per claim, and days supply).

RESULTS

The rate of HCP claims increased before and decreased after the HCP schedule change. Controlling for the trend during the period before the HCP schedule change, the rate of HCP claims per 1,000 members per month decreased at a greater rate than non-HCP analgesics in the period after the HCP schedule change (P < 0.001). The percentage of HCP claims for new start members decreased after the HCP schedule change (44.9% vs. 34.1% of all HCP claims pre- to post-schedule change; P < 0.001). In the group of new starts, there was not a significant difference in the average daily dose (26.3 mg vs. 26.4 mg; P = 0.69), while there was a decrease in average number of tablets dispensed per claim (from 37.1 to 20.3 tablets; P < 0.001) and an increase in the percentage of claims for a shorter days supply (from 57.7% to 81.6%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggest that the HCP schedule change may have contributed to the decrease in claims for HCPs in a Medicaid population. After the HCP schedule change, there was a trend towards decreased HCP use among new starts.

DISCLOSURES

No outside funding supported this study. The authors have nothing to disclose. Study concept and design were contributed by all authors except for Arnold and Clements. Tran, Arnold, and Clements took the lead in data collection, along with Peristere, and data interpretation was performed by all the authors, except Arnold. The manuscript was written primarily by Tran, along with Lavitas, Stevens, and Greenwood, and revised by all the authors except Arnold and Peristere. A poster of this research project was presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's 2016 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California, April 2016.

Incremental Effect of the Addition of Prescriber Restrictions on a State Medicaid’s Pharmacy-Only Patient Review and Restriction Program

BACKGROUND

Patient review and restriction programs (PRRPs), used by state Medicaid programs to limit potential abuse and misuse of opioids and related controlled medications, often restrict members to a single pharmacy for controlled medications. While most states use a restricted pharmacy access model, not all states include restricted prescriber access. Oklahoma Medicaid (MOK) added a restricted prescriber access feature to its PRRP in July 2014.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the incremental effect that the addition of a prescriber restriction to MOK's pharmacy-only PRRP had on the pharmacy and resource utilization of the enrolled members.

METHODS

MOK members with at least 6 months of enrollment in the pharmacy-only PRRP were restricted to a maximum of 3 prescribers for controlled substances in July 2014 and were identified as "cases." Using a propensity score method, cases were matched to controls from the MOK non-PRRP enrolled population based on demographics and baseline health care utilization. Data from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014, were evaluated. Each member's monthly health care resource utilization, defined in terms of medical and pharmacy costs, prescription counts, and opioid use per member per month (PMPM), was analyzed. A difference-indifferences (DID) regression estimated the change in resource utilization following the July 2014 policy change.

RESULTS

This study included 378 controls and 126 cases after propensity matching. No differences were noted for daily morphine equivalents, benzodiazepine prescriptions, or maintenance prescriptions. There were decreases in mean PMPM use for both groups for short-acting opioid (SAO) claims (P < 0.001), overall opioid claims (P = 0.007 for controls and P < 0.001 for cases), prescribers (P = 0.01 for controls and P < 0.001 for cases), and number of pharmacies for cases (P < 0.001). DID analyses indicated that cases had a larger decrease in mean SAO claims (difference: -0.15, 95% CI: -0.25 to -0.04, P = 0.008); prescribers (difference: -0.25, 95% CI: -0.36 to -0.15, P < 0.001); and pharmacies (difference: -0.20, 95% CI: -0.28 to -0.13, P < 0.001) relative to controls. The difference for overall opioid claims was greater for cases than controls but did not reach statistical significance (difference: -0.12, 95% CI: -0.25 to 0.00, P = 0.050).

CONCLUSIONS

Although there was no evidence that overall opioid claims were affected, the addition of prescriber restrictions may have resulted in an incremental change to SAO, prescriber, and pharmacy use in the PRPP population. Use of PRRPs may be an effective tool in reducing inappropriate use of prescription opioids within payer systems. The question remains whether these changes result in long-term changes to behavior outside the payer system. Future research into the effects of PRRPs on patient behavior beyond the payer system is needed.

DISCLOSURES

No outside funding supported this research. All authors disclose either employment by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority or contractual work for this employer. In addition, Keast discloses unrelated funding through unrestricted research grants from Gilead Sciences and Purdue Pharma. Study concept and design were contributed by Keast and Pham, along with Teel and Nesser. Keast and Pham collected the data, along with Teel, and data interpretation was provided by Keast and Pham, with assistance from Teel and Nesser. The manuscript was written primarily by Keast, along with Pham and Teel, and revised by all the authors.

The association between age of onset of opioid use and comorbidity among opioid dependent patients receiving methadone maintenance therapy

Background

Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects approximately 21.9 million people worldwide. This study aims to determine the association between age of onset of opioid use and comorbid disorders, both physical and psychiatric, in patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for OUD. Understanding this association may inform clinical practice about important prognostic factors of patients on MMT, enabling clinicians to identify high-risk patients.

Methods

This study includes data collected between June 2011 and August 2016 for the Genetics of Opioid Addiction research collaborative between McMaster University and the Canadian Addiction Treatment Centers. All patients were interviewed by trained health professionals using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and case report forms. Physical comorbidities were verified using patients’ electronic medical records. A multi-variable logistic regression model was constructed to determine the strength of the association between age of onset of opioid use and the presence of physical or psychiatric comorbidity while adjusting for current age, sex, body mass index, methadone dose and smoking status.

Results

Data from 627 MMT patients with a mean age of 38.8 years (SD = 11.07) were analyzed. Individuals with an age of onset of opioid use younger than 18 years were found to be at higher odds for having a physical or psychiatric comorbid disorder compared to individuals with an age of onset of opioid use of 31 years or older (odds ratio 2.94, 95% confidence interval 1.20, 7.19, p = 0.02). A significant association was not found between the risk of having a comorbidity and an age of onset of opioid use between 18 and 25 years or 26 and 30 years, compared to an age of onset of opioid use of 31 years or older.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that the younger one begins to use opioids, the greater their chance of having a physical or psychiatric co-morbidity. Understanding the risk posed by an earlier onset of opioid use for the later development of comorbid disorders informs clinical practice about important prognostic predictors and aids in the identification of high-risk patients.

Neurocognitive, psychiatric, and substance use characteristics in opioid dependent adults

AIMS

To describe neurocognitive function among opioid-dependent adults seeking buprenorphine treatment and to explore the impact of lifetime psychiatric conditions on neurocognitive function. To explore the additive interaction of patient-based characteristics that may help to inform treatment.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional assessment of neurocognitive function, substance use, and psychiatric characteristics of adults seeking buprenorphine treatment within substance use treatment centers in New York City.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-eight opioid-dependent adults seeking buprenorphine treatment.

MEASUREMENTS

A comprehensive battery, which included measures of executive functioning, learning, memory, verbal fluency, attention, processing speed, and motor functioning were administered. The Wide Range Achievement Test-Third Edition, the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and an audio computer assisted structured interview were also completed. Correlations and independent sample t-tests were used to ascertain group differences.

FINDINGS

Thirty-nine percent of participants were impaired in global neurocognitive function (n=15). Over one third were impaired in either: learning (n=28), memory (n=26), executive functioning (n=17), motor functioning (n=17), attention/working memory (n=14) or verbal fluency (n=12). Lifetime history of alcohol dependence was associated with impairment in global neurocognitive, executive functioning, and motor functioning. Lifetime history of cocaine dependence was associated with impairment in executive functioning and motor functioning (all p's<0.05). Major depressive disorder history was not associated with neurocognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

Among this sample of opioid-dependent adults, there were high rates of global and domain-specific neurocognitive impairment, with severe impairment in learning and memory. Lifetime alcohol and cocaine dependence were associated with greater neurocognitive impairment, particularly in executive functioning. Because executive functioning is critical for decision-making and learning/memory dysfunction may interfere with information encoding, these findings suggest that opioid-dependent adults may require enhanced support for medical decision-making.

Evaluation of Abuse-Deterrent or Tamper-Resistant Opioid Formulations on Overall Health Care Expenditures in a State Medicaid Program

BACKGROUND

The development of abuse-deterrent opioid prescription medications is a priority at the national level. Pharmaceutical manufacturers have begun marketing new formulations of currently available opioids that meet higher abuse resistance standards. Little information is available regarding the impact of these formulations on overall health care expenditures.

OBJECTIVES

To (a) examine the relationship between health care expenditures and use of brand abuse-deterrent or tamper-resistant (ADTR) extended-release opioids versus standard dosage form (SDF) extended-release opioids in a state Medicaid population, and (b) determine whether this relationship was influenced by member-specific characteristics.

METHODS

The study is a cross-sectional review of Oklahoma Medicaid members (aged ≥ 21 years) with at least 1 paid pharmacy claim for long-acting opioids between September 2013 and August 2014. Members who were adherent to extended-release opioid products were classified into ADTR and SDF opioid groups. The relationship between health care expenditures (prescription, medical, and overall) and opioid groups was examined using multiple linear regression models. The impact of member-specific characteristics (age, sex, race, urban classifications, and various comorbidities) on this relationship was examined.

RESULTS

Prescription spending ($9,265,554) accounted for 35% of overall health care expenditures ($26,304,693) among 938 members during the 12-month reference period. Total prescription expenditures were higher among ADTR than SDF user groups, and the difference in median expenditures between these 2 groups was larger among members with more comorbidities, as measured by the Charlson Comorbidity Index score. Overall, ADTR users had higher median total health care and medical expenditures, and the difference in median expenditures was dependent on whether a member had comorbidities of addiction or not (higher expenditures were observed among members with comorbidities of addiction).

CONCLUSIONS

The abuse and misuse of medically prescribed opioid products is a growing health epidemic. A variety of attempts have been made to reduce the potential of abuse and misuse of these products, including changes to product formulations. The results of this study indicate that both prescription spending and physician and pharmacy spending combined may be increased with the use of these new products because of higher pricing. Study findings also suggest that the use of ADTR opioids among members with comorbidities of addiction may be related to slightly lower overall health care and medical expenditures than those among members without comorbidities of addiction. Further research is required to answer questions regarding the comparative effectiveness of existing opioid prescription formulations.

DISCLOSURES

No outside funding supported this research. Nesser is employed by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and Keast is a contractual employee for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. The authors declare no other conflicts of interest. Study design was primarily contributed by Keast, along with Nesser and Farmer. Keast took the lead in data collection, while data interpretation was primarily performed by Owora, along with Keast and assisted by Nesser and Farmer. The manuscript was written and revised by all authors equally.

The Concentration of Opioid Prescriptions by Providers and Among Patients in the Oregon Medicaid Program

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the distribution of opioid prescribing across providers and patients and the extent to which concentrated distribution predicts opioid misuse.

METHODS

Using 2013 Oregon Medicaid claims and the National Provider Identifier Registry, this study identified patients who filled at least one opioid prescription and providers who prescribed opioids for those patients (N=61,477 Medicaid beneficiaries). This study examined the distribution of opioid prescriptions by provider and patient, the extent to which high-volume opioid use was associated with potential opioid misuse, and how this association changed when patients received opioids from providers in the top decile of morphine-equivalent doses (MEQ) prescribed in 2013. This study used four indicators of opioid misuse: doctor and pharmacy shopping for opioid prescriptions, opioid prescription overlap, and opioid and benzodiazepine prescription overlap.

RESULTS

Opioid use and prescriptions were heavily concentrated among the top 10% of opioid users and prescribers. Those high-volume opioid users and prescribers accounted for, respectively, 83.2% and 80.8% in MEQ of entire opioids prescribed. Patients' increasing use of opioids (by MEQ) was associated with most measures of opioid misuse. Patients receiving opioids from high-volume prescribers had a higher probability of opioid prescription overlap and opioid and benzodiazepine prescription overlap compared with other patients, but the difference was significant only among patients who received high doses of opioids, and the size of the difference was modest.

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas current policies emphasize reducing opioid prescriptions across all patients and providers, study results suggest that focusing policies on high-volume opioid users and prescribers may be more beneficial.

Opioid Treatment Patterns Following Prescription of Immediate-Release Hydrocodone

BACKGROUND

Immediate-release (IR) hydrocodone is the most widely prescribed opioid in the United States; however, little is known about the utilization patterns and duration of opioid use among patients prescribed IR hydrocodone. A better understanding of the use of IR hydrocodone would result in more appropriate prescribing patterns of extended-release opioids.

OBJECTIVE

To assess downstream length of opioid therapy and utilization patterns of extended-release/long-acting (ER/LA) opioids among patients on IR hydrocodone to provide a better understanding of how IR and ER/LA opioids are used to manage pain.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis using health care claims from the Truven MarketScan Commercial, Medicare Supplemental, and Medicaid databases was performed. Patients prescribed IR hydrocodone during the 6-month baseline period (July 2011-December 2011) and with continuous enrollment for a 12-month follow-up period (2012) post-index date (January 1, 2012) were selected. Downstream length of therapy, defined as number of days supplied with opioids, and downstream use of ER/LA opioids during follow-up were examined by average pills per month (≤ 60 vs. > 60 pills per month) and days supply (< 60 vs. ≥ 60 days supply) of IR hydrocodone during baseline to mimic intermittent and consistent IR users.

RESULTS

At baseline, 1,743,933 commercial, 277,096 Medicare, and 157,922 Medicaid IR hydrocodone patients were identified. During follow-up, 1.7%, 2.9%, and 2.8% of patients initiated (i.e., converted to or newly started) ER/LA opioids for commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid groups, respectively. Approximately 90% of patients were prescribed IR hydrocodone for less than 2 months in the following year, while 10% were high utilizers, averaging nearly 8 months of prescribed opioid use during follow-up. Downstream initiation of ER/LA opioids was significantly higher among commercial patients prescribed IR hydrocodone for > 60 pills per month than with ≤ 60 pills per month (7.8% vs. 1.2%, respectively, P < 0.05) at baseline. For commercial patients initiating ER/LA opioids, length of ER/LA therapy during follow-up was significantly longer among patients with baseline IR hydrocodone > 60 pills per month than with ≤ 60 pills per month. All results were consistent when examined by levels of days supply.

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of the population prescribed IR hydrocodone was not prescribed opioid therapy beyond 2 months on average in the 1-year follow-up period. Only a small subset of patients with increased pills per month or days supply of IR hydrocodone in the baseline period continued to be high utilizers in the following year, averaging nearly 8 months of prescribed opioid use. A limited proportion of patients prescribed IR hydrocodone converted to ER/LA opioids. This knowledge can assist policymakers and physicians, providing an opportunity to identify small subsets of patients to improve ER/LA opioid prescribing.

DISCLOSURES

Funding and support for this study was provided by Purdue Pharma L.P. Consulting fees were paid to Evidera by Purdue Pharma L.P. for this study. Kansal, Chitnis, and Paramore are employees of Evidera and were paid consultants to Purdue Pharma for this research. Holly is an employee for Purdue Pharma, and Bell and Ben-Joseph were full-time employees of Purdue Pharma during the design, planning, and execution of the studies and during the preparation of this manuscript. Burgoyne and Brixner were consultants on this project. Study design was created by Ben-Joseph, Brixner, Paramore, and Burgoyne. Data were collected by Kansal, Chitnis, Bell, Ben-Joseph, and Holly and interpreted by Ben-Joseph, Bell, Kansal, and Holly, with assistance from Brixner, Paramore, Burgoyne, and Chitnis. The manuscript was written by Ben-Joseph, Bell, Paramore, Chitnis, and Holly, with assistance from Kansal, and revised by Bell and Holly, along with Ben-Joseph, Brixner, Kansal, Paramore, Burgoyne, and Chitnis.

Use of Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain by Medicaid Enrollees

BACKGROUND

Medicaid insures an increasing proportion of adults in the United States. Physical therapy use for low back pain (LBP) in this population has not been described.

OBJECTIVE

The study objectives were: (1) to examine physical therapy use by Medicaid enrollees with new LBP consultations and (2) to evaluate associations with future health care use and LBP-related costs.

DESIGN

The study was designed as a retrospective evaluation of claims data.

METHODS

A total of 2,289 patients with new LBP consultations were identified during 2012 (mean age=39.3 years [SD=11.9]; 68.2% women). The settings in which the patients entered care and comorbid conditions were identified. Data obtained at 1 year after entry were examined, and physical therapy use was categorized with regard to entry setting, early use (within 14 days of entry), or delayed use (>14 days after entry). The 1-year follow-up period was evaluated for use outcomes (imaging, injection, surgery, and emergency department visit) and LBP-related costs. Variables associated with physical therapy use and cost outcomes were evaluated with multivariate models.

RESULTS

Physical therapy was used by 457 patients (20.0%); 75 (3.3%) entered care in physical therapy, 89 (3.9%) received early physical therapy, and 298 (13.0%) received delayed physical therapy. Physical therapy was more common with chronic pain or obesity comorbidities and less likely with substance use disorders. Entering care in the emergency department decreased the likelihood of physical therapy. Entering care in physical medicine increased the likelihood. Relative to primary care entry, physical therapy entry was associated with lower 1-year costs.

LIMITATIONS

A single state was studied. No patient-reported outcomes were included.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical therapy was used often by Medicaid enrollees with LBP. High rates of comorbidities were evident and associated with physical therapy use. Although few patients entered care in physical therapy, this pattern may be useful for managing costs.

Prescription opioid abuse and tampering in the United States: results of a self-report survey

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence and impact of prescription opioid abuse and tampering among US adults.

METHODS

Participants from the US National Health and Wellness Survey were invited to complete an online survey assessing use, misuse, and abuse of prescription opioid medications in the preceding 3 months. A total of 25,864 adults were screened for self-reported opioid abuse. Prevalence was calculated using weights based on age, gender, race, and education. Respondents reporting abuse or medical use of prescription opioid medication in the prior 3 months (N = 1,242) completed a questionnaire assessing health care resource use and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire.

RESULTS

The prevalence of prescription opioid abuse in the 3 months prior to the survey was estimated at 1.31% of US adults, with approximately half (0.67%) tampering during that time. Opioid abuse increased with younger age, male sex, minority race, psychiatric illness, alcoholism, cigarette smoking, being employed, and higher household income. Respondents abusing opioid medications reported greater impairment in work and nonwork activities and more health care use than nonusers. Tampering with opioid medication was associated with greater productivity loss and increased use of health care (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Tampering with opioid medications to get high is associated with substantial loss of productivity and health care use. Technologies that reduce users' ability to tamper may reduce the burden of opioid abuse on the health care system.

The prevalence of diagnosed opioid abuse in commercial and Medicare managed care populations

PURPOSE

To measure the prevalence of diagnosed opioid abuse and prescription opioid use in a multistate managed care organization.

METHODS

This retrospective claims data analysis reviewed the prevalence of diagnosed opioid abuse and the parallel prevalence of prescription opioid use in half-year intervals for commercial and Medicare members enrolled with Humana Inc., from January 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010. Diagnosis of opioid abuse was defined by ≥ 1 medical claim with any of the following ICD-9-CM codes: 304.0 ×, 304.7 ×, 305.5 ×, 965.0 ×, excluding 965.01, and opioid use was defined by ≥ 1 filled prescription for an opioid. The prevalence of opioid abuse was defined by the number of members with an opioid abuse diagnosis, divided by the number of members enrolled in each 6-month interval.

RESULTS

The 6-month prevalence of diagnosed opioid abuse increased from 0.84 to 1.15 among commercial and from 3.17 to 6.35 among Medicare members, per 1,000. In contrast, there was no marked increase in prescription opioid use during the same time period (118.0 to 114.8 for commercial members, 240.6 to 256.9 for Medicare members, per 1,000). The prevalence of diagnosed opioid abuse was highest among members younger than 65 years for both genders in commercial (18- to 34-year-olds) and Medicare (35- to 54-year-olds) populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a stable rate of prescription opioid use among the observed population, the prevalence of diagnosed opioid abuse is increasing, particularly in the Medicare population.

Lessons learned in the abuse of pain-relief medication: a focus on healthcare costs

The increasing prevalence of chronic pain with its major societal impact and the escalating use of opioids in managing it, along with their misuse, abuse, associated fatalities and costs, are epidemics in modern medicine. Over the past two decades, multiple lessons have been learned addressing various issues of abuse. Multiple measures have already been incorporated and more are expected to be incorporated in the future, which in turn may curtail the abuse of drugs and reduce healthcare costs, but these measures may also jeopardize access to appropriate pain treatment. This manuscript describes the lessons learned from the misuse, abuse and diversion of opioids, escalating healthcare costs and the means to control this epidemic.

Changes in the characteristics and levels of comorbidity among new patients into methadone maintenance treatment program in British Columbia during its expansion period from 1998-2006

We described the changing characteristics and comorbidity levels of new patients into Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program in British Columbia, Canada, during its expansion period of 1998-2006. Analyses used administrative data. Generalized regression models were applied using Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Chronic Disease Score (CDS) as outcomes. 12,615 individuals initiated MMT during 1998-2006, while their odds of having moderate CCI (1 ≤ CCI ≤ 4) and mean CDS increased by 60% and 11%, respectively, after adjusting for confounders. MMT entrants were presented with progressively higher levels of comorbidity, independent of other characteristics. Future MMT policies should address higher levels of comorbidity among new patients.