An examination of opioid prescription for Medicare Part D patients among family practice prescribers

Abstract

Abstract Background In the USA, opioid overdose accounted for more than 60% of drug overdose deaths in 2015. Of these deaths, 40% were due to use of prescription opioids. Objectives The aims of the study were to (i) study family medicine physician opioid-prescribing rate and duration of prescription, (ii) study the distribution of prescription by medication potency, (iii) study opioid-prescribing trends in health care shortage areas and (iv) study the association between extreme high prescribing rates and medical board discipline. Methods This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of the 2015 Medicare Part D claim data. Results Family practitioners have opioid prescription rates (5.6%) similar to medical subspecialists (6.0%), but lower than pain specialists (53.2%) and surgical specialists (36.6%). Family practitioners have an average opioid prescription duration (21.5 days) similar to medical subspecialists (23.1 days) and pain specialists (27.1 days), but longer than surgical specialists (8.9 days). Family practitioners tend to prescribe lower potency opioids. Family practitioners in rural health care shortage areas have a higher opioid prescription rate than other family practitioners (6.5% versus 5.6%). Among the 52 family practitioners who prescribed opioids as frequently as pain specialists, 26 of the 52 (50%) were certified in pain management or worked with a partner certified in pain management. Of the other 26 family practitioners, 3 (12%) had medical board disciplinary actions regarding opioid prescription. Conclusions While monitoring extreme prescribers is important and needs to be continued, the next step in policies to reduce prescription opioids will require systemic change, especially providing support for family practitioners in rural health care shortage areas.