Prevalence of psychotropic and opioid prescribing among hospice beneficiaries in the United States, 2014-2016.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Psychotropic and opioid medications are routinely prescribed for symptom management in hospice, but national estimates of prescribing are lacking. Changes in Medicare hospice payment in 2014 provide the first opportunity to examine psychotropic and opioid prescribing among hospice beneficiaries, and the factors associated with use of specific medication classes.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of a 20% sample of traditional and managed Medicare with Part D enrolled in hospice, 2014-2016.

Setting

Beneficiaries enrolled in the Medicare hospice benefit.

Participants

Medicare beneficiaries ≥65 newly enrolled in hospice between July 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016 (N = 554,022).

Main outcome

Prevalence of psychotropic and opioid medication

SUBMITTER: Gerlach LB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8192429 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature