Connect to Fight RX Abuse
How Can Physicians Address The Problem?
Talk to Patient
Refer
Monitor Patient Progress
Review & Revise ProceduresTalk to the Patient
Research shows that when their physician speaks, patients really do listen, especially when the message is repeated over time. Like most problems requiring behavior change, addressing substance abuse and addiction is usually a slow, ongoing process. Unfortunately, physicians report they receive little preparation on how to address drug abuse problems with their patients as a normal course of their practice. A brief intervention as scripted in the Opioid Prescribing Toolkit can be very effective. Such services are also reimbursable.
CPT
Services
Medicare
99408
15 - 30 minutes
G0396
99409
30+ minutes
G0397
Refer
Treatment works! Unfortunately, we are often far more aware of patients who have not succeeded in recovery than of those who have. Because of the stigma associated with past drug use, those with successful recovery histories tend to keep silent and access healthcare less frequently. Use SAMHSA’s searchable directory to locate treatment in your area for referral. Learn more about addiction and substance abuse treatment. Also, treating a patient with legitimate pain problems who may also have drug abuse or addiction problems can present challenges. This may require referral to a pain professional.
Monitor Patient Progress
“Universal precautions” may be a useful concept, suggesting as it does that every patient given a potentially abusable drug should undergo proactive risk assessment, risk stratification, and an approach to treatment that provides monitoring commensurate with risk. No one regimen can be right in every case, but every case deserves assessment and thoughtful implementation of therapy“(Passik, Kirsh, & Casper, in press). Tools that can assist are described in the screening and assessment instruments section, as well as in the Opioid Prescribing Tool Kit and the Pain Care Resource Manual. Monitoring the effectiveness of pain relief, compliance with prescribed medication, and possible problems related to abuse is an essential aspect of the doctor-patient contract. Monitoring of patient progress is equally important where a patient has been referred to substance abuse treatment or to a pain specialist.
Review and Revise Procedures
Office procedures need to be periodically reviewed and revised to make sure they fit the needs of the practice, yield satisfactory outcomes, and address current trends and research findings.
