In the wake of new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing that 2014 was the deadliest year on record for opioid overdose, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be keeping a more watchful eye on opioid use in Medicaid programs this year.
In December, CMS announced the addition of the new opioid quality measure to its 2016 Adult Core; it will look to better identify trends and patterns of opioid misuse and abuse. The measure, “Use