OIG Monthly Work Plan Review: June 2019

This month, there were seven new Work Plan items. Two of these, detailed below, may have implications for some labs.

Opioid Use in Medicare Part D in 2018

Issue: The opioid crisis remains a public health emergency. In 2017, 47,600 opioid-related overdose deaths occurred in the United States. Identifying patients who are at risk of overdose or abuse is key to addressing this crisis.

OIG Action: An OIG data brief will provide 2018 data on Part D spending for opioids, as well as on beneficiaries who received extreme amounts of opioids through Part D and those who appeared to be doctor shopping. It will also provide data on prescribers who ordered opioids for large numbers of these beneficiaries.

Opioid Use in Medicare Part D in Missouri in 2018

Issue: Drug overdose deaths are at epidemic levels, and the opioid crisis is a public health emergency. In 2017, there were 47,600 opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States; 952 of these deaths occurred in Missouri. Identifying beneficiaries who are at risk of overdose or abuse is key to addressing this crisis.

OIG Action: An OIG data brief will provide information on opioid use in Medicare Part D in Missouri in 2018, including data on beneficiaries who received opioids and data on beneficiaries who may be at serious risk of opioid misuse or overdose.