Opioid Prescribing Patterns Among Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in the Medicare Population

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate opioid prescribing patterns among American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) members in the Medicare population.

Methods:

Retrospective cohort study of AAFPRS members in the Medicare Part D Prescriber dataset.

Results:

From 2014 to 2016, there was a significant decrease in the number of days of opioids supplied per beneficiary (5.9 vs. 4.9 days, p < 0.005), as well as the opioid prescription cost per beneficiary ($14.52 vs. $11.79, p = 0.005). The highest prescription rate was found in the Midwest (20.5%) and lowest in the Northeast (14.0%), however, the difference between geographic regions was not significant (p = 0.11). There was a significant decrease in the number of total opioid days supplied per beneficiary in the South (p = 0.001), Midwest (p = 0.05), and West regions (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in opioid prescription rate (p = 0.89) or total opioid days supplied per beneficiary (p = 0.26) when states were stratified by age-adjusted opioid-specific death rate.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates a national trend toward fewer opioid days supplied and less opioid cost per Medicare beneficiary among AAFPRS members between 2014 and 2016.

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