Declines in opioid prescribing after a private insurer policy change—Massachusetts, 2011–2015.
García MC, Dodek AB, Kowalski T, et al. Declines in Opioid Prescribing After a Private Insurer Policy Change - Massachusetts, 2011-2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016;65(41):1125-1131. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6541a1.
Adverse drug events related to opioid medications are a significant patient safety concern. This analysis of insurer claims data demonstrated that changing opioid prescribing requirements, including implementing patient–provider agreements, requiring prior authorization, and enforcing quantity limits, led to a decline in opioid prescribing. The authors recommend that insurers implement policies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention opioid guidelines to improve safety.