Using prescription monitoring program data to characterize out-of-pocket payments for opioid prescriptions in a state Medicaid program.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Out-of-pocket payment for prescription opioids is believed to be an indicator of abuse or diversion, but few studies describe its epidemiology. Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) collect controlled substance prescription fill data regardless of payment source and thus can be used to study this phenomenon.

Objective

To estimate the frequency and characteristics of prescription fills for opioids that are likely paid out-of-pocket by individuals in the Oregon Medicaid program.

Research design

Cross-sectional analysis using Oregon Medicaid administrative claims and PDMP data (2012 to 2013).

Subjects

Continuously enrolled nondually eligible Medicaid beneficiaries who could be linked to the PDMP with two opioid fills covered by Oregon Medicaid.<

SUBMITTER: Hartung DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9926937 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature