Use of Opioids From Multiple Providers (UOP)

Assesses potentially high-risk opioid analgesic prescribing practices: The proportion of members 18 years and older, receiving prescription opioids for ≥15 days during the measurement year from multiple providers. Three rates are reported.

1. Multiple Prescribers: The proportion of members receiving prescriptions for opioids from four or more different prescribers during the measurement year.
2. Multiple Pharmacies: The proportion of members receiving prescriptions for opioids from four or more different pharmacies during the measurement year.
3. Multiple Prescribers and Multiple Pharmacies: The proportion of members receiving prescriptions for opioids from four or more different prescribers and four or more different pharmacies during the measurement year (i.e., the proportion of members who are numerator compliant for both the Multiple Prescribers and Multiple Pharmacies rates).

Note: A lower rate indicates better performance for all three rates.

Why It Matters

In 2016, opioid-related overdoses accounted for more than 42,000 deaths in the United States.¹ Of those, 40% involved prescription opioids.¹ One area of risk related to opioid use is receipt of opioid prescriptions from multiple prescribers and pharmacies. Studies show that individuals who receive opioids from four or more prescribers or pharmacies have a higher likelihood of opioid-related overdose death than those who receive opioids from one prescriber or one physician.² Evidence suggests that people who see multiple prescribers and use multiple pharmacies are at higher risk of overdose.³

This measure provides health plans with a tool to identify members who may be at high risk for opioid overuse and misuse.

Historical Results – National Averages