Opioids in Medicare Part D: Concerns about Extreme Use and Questionable Prescribing

Opioid abuse and overdose deaths are at epidemic levels in the United States. This data brief is part of a larger strategy by the OIG to fight the opioid crisis and address one of its top priority outcomes-to protect beneficiaries from prescription drug abuse. It provides baseline data on the extent to which beneficiaries receive extreme amounts of opioids and appear to be "doctor shopping." It also identifies prescribers who have questionable opioid prescribing patterns.