CMS Issues Opioid Roadmap

On June 11, 2018, CMS issued a purported roadmap in the future handling of opioid medications. Appearing to build off the proposed processes announced in February of this year, CMS has detailed a three-pronged approach to combating the opioid crisis. This three-pronged approach consists of:

• Prevention of new cases of opioid use disorder (OUD)
• Treatment of patients who have already become dependent on or addicted to opioids
• Utilization of data from across the country to target prevention and treatment activities

Furthermore, CMS reported that they have been working on communications with beneficiaries to explain the risk of prescription opioids. Another strategy, reported by CMS is to endeavor to work with individual states to tailor programs to their populations. Citing work with seven states, which were not expressly identified, CMS argues such a strategy could aid unique state populations and their individual issues with the opioid issue.

CMS admits this roadmap is only a start and the plans and programs will continue to evolve. We at Gordon & Rees will continue to monitor these proposed processes and will report any updates as they develop.