Senate approves Medicare ‘lock-in’ amendment on opioid abuse
Normally, a lock-in mechanism is used on people who have demonstrated to be doc/pharmacy shoppers. Apparently those in the Senate have decided to discriminate against all Medicare Part D beneficiaries who are prescribed certain frequently abused drugs. Not if the person has ever been a confirmed doc/pharmacy shopper. I can see how well this is going to work for Seniors who travel in a RV and/or Seniors that are snow birds. Once again those who are chronic painers are being discriminated against because of their medically necessary medications. What is the definition of “at-risk” ?
WASHINGTON – The United States Senate approved an amendment Wednesday that gives Medicare Part D plans the authority to require at-risk beneficiaries to use a single prescriber and pharmacy for frequently abused drugs.
The Medicare “lock-in” provision, sponsored by Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Tim Kaine, D-Va., is a part of a larger prescription drug abuse bill known as the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. The bipartisan bill aims to curb the opioid abuse epidemic through enhanced grant programs, among other efforts.
“As the pharmacy community is well aware, prescription drug abuse and dependency have been on the rise in America for several years,” stated Thomas Menighan, American Pharmacist Association EVP and CEO. “This epidemic is a major issue for our nation due to the devastating impact it is has had on individuals, families and communities. We have made this a central theme for APhA2016. As we inform and educate pharmacy professionals, they will be able to help their communities.”
APhA supports the passing of the lock-in amendment and believes that solutions to curb opioid and prescription drug abuse “will take everyone working together, including health care professionals, patients, and federal, state and local governments,” according to Jenna Ventresca, APhA associate director, health policy.
Although the lock-in amendment represents one mechanism to respond to prescription drug abuse, APhA supports a multifaceted approach that balances legitimate patient access to prescription drugs with the need to protect individuals from misusing and abusing such medications. The Institute of Medicine estimates that there are 100 million Americans living with chronic pain – a number that does not include the additional 46 million individuals the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates suffer from acute pain due to surgery.
Though the lock-in amendment has passed, the Senate still has to vote on the broader comprehensive bill before it moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for review.
Filed under: General Problems
Yes, it is terrible to have your choice of travel limited by government. Many women who have had their reproductive freedom limited by government may feel the same way.
Steve, I am sure if this eventually becomes law, you will be able to work around it. Worst comes to worst, you can book airline tickets back to Indiana and get your wife’s Rx’s filled. Maybe a trusted friend can help you get them filled and ship them too you. Just like women of means have always been able to exercise their reproductive choices, you will be able to exercise your pain treatment options.
Many may say, that reproductive choice is totally different from pain patients suffering, but the intrusion into the doctor patient relationship can trace many of its roots back to the anti-choice movement.
I hope this doesn’t become law. Limiting the choice to travel is truly detrimental to a patient’s well being. But many people who think they know what is better for you than you do are convinced that they can save your life if they limit your pain medicine.
Here comes that law again….
The one about unintended consequences.
I’m noticing how they don’t even ask us anymore
Sheesh