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Medicaid Plan Says Opioid Use Down 40 Percent
By: Associated Press
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DAYTON, Ohio (AP) – Ohio’s largest Medicaid plan says the amount of opioids prescribed to its members has decreased 40 percent over the past 18 months.
CareSource announced Monday it plans to reduce that number by 50 percent by the end of this year.
The Dayton-based organization privately manages 1.8 million Medicaid plans. It says it notifies providers who prescribe a large amount of opioids to members, and can identify members at risk for substance misuse.
CareSource says it has decreased long-term opioid prescriptions and noted other efforts, such as transportation to recovery services.
The organization says it also will start monitoring teens and young adults for opioid risks.
Ohio’s Board of Pharmacy says about 225 million fewer opioid doses were dispensed to patients in the state in 2017 than in 2012.