PO - Increase Access to Alternative Therapies to Treat Pain
Return to Increase Access to Alternative Therapies to Treat Pain
Go to Measure Details
Examples of a Description for this Objective
This is focusing on increasing ACCESS to ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES--non-pharmaceuticals--to treat pain. This helps people who have pain not be left to suffer as restrictions on opioids grow. It also helps reduce the overall prescription of opioids so there will be fewer people at the risk of becoming dependent on opioids while following their prescription guidelines, and there will be fewer opioid pills circulating in our communities.
Examples of a From-To Gap
| Current State | Desired State |
| People who are seeing a doctor for pain are often prescribed opioids because it is traditionally covered by insurance plans, and it is a quick, easy option for the doctors to take. Plus, many patients find that they get good pain relief and sometimes pleasant or euphoric feelings as well. Other options are often not reimbursed, take more physician time to properly learn about and/or explain to patients, and may not be the preferred option for some patients. | People seeing a doctor for pain will get the optimal treatment that gives full consideration to the risks of prescribing opioids. Doctors have a good understanding of the alternatives, and are able to take the time to educate the patients (perhaps augmented by digital tools or other ways of educating the patients on the options). Health plans or other payers reimburse for the most appropriate form of pain management. |
