Cigna reached its goal of reducing opioid use among members by 25 percent, more than one year before it expected to hit that target, Forbes reports.
Here are six things to know.
1. In May 2016, Cigna set a goal reduce opioid use by 25 percent, identifying that percentage as enough to bring opioid use in line with what it was before the current epidemic. Cigna expected to accomplish the goal in three years.
2. The number of opioids prescribed by doctors treating Cigna beneficiaries and the strength of the opioids were factored into the 25 percent calculation.
3. The insurer's staff physicians conducted outreach to doctors about how their prescribing behaviors compared to those of other providers, as well as CDC recommendations.
"The ability for physicians to understand how their prescribing patterns align with the standards really allows physicians to understand their patterns better and ultimately provide the best care for their patients," said Douglas Nemecek, CMO of Cigna's behavioral health business.
4. Cigna's efforts also included removing requirements that physicians obtain prior approval before prescribing drugs that can help patients stop using opioids.
5. David Juurlink, a health policy researcher at the University of Toronto, expressed concern that Cigna's efforts might put patients used to high doses at risk of opioid withdrawal if their doses are lowered too quickly.
Mr. Nemecek said it's too early to tell what effect the new initiatives have on patients seeking help with opioid dependence.
6. Cigna's 25 percent target might be low — according to Andrew Kolodny, the co-director of opioid policy research at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, there would need to be a 75 percent reduction in opioid use to return to pre-epidemic usage rates.
