New Part D Policies from CMS Address Opioid Epidemic

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced new Medicare Part D opioid safety policies to reduce prescription opioid misuse while preserving medically necessary access to these medications. It’s important to note that these new policies are not “one size fits all,” and are deliberately tailored to address distinct populations of Medicare Part D prescription opioid users. These interventions do not apply to residents of long-term care facilities; beneficiaries in hospice, palliative, or end-of-life care; and beneficiaries being treated for active cancer-related pain.

The new Medicare Part D opioid policies encourage collaboration and care coordination among Medicare drug plans, pharmacies, prescribers, and patients in order to improve opioid management, prevent opioid misuse, and promote safer prescribing practices.

For more information:

• CMS roadmap
• Prescriber’s Guide to New Medicare Part D Opioid Overutilization Policies for 2019 MLN Matters Article
• Training materials for prescribers, pharmacists, and patients
• CMS blog