Safe Use of Opioids - Concurrent Prescribing

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Measure Information	2023 Reporting Period	2024 Reporting Period	2025 Reporting Period
Title	Safe Use of Opioids - Concurrent Prescribing	Safe Use of Opioids - Concurrent Prescribing	Safe Use of Opioids - Concurrent Prescribing
CMS eCQM ID	CMS506v5	CMS506v6	CMS506v7
CBE ID*	3316e	3316e	3316e
Measure Steward	Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)	Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)	Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Description	Proportion of inpatient hospitalizations for patients 18 years of age and older prescribed, or continued on, two or more opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine concurrently at discharge	Proportion of inpatient hospitalizations for patients 18 years of age and older prescribed, or continued on, two or more opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine concurrently at discharge	Proportion of inpatient hospitalizations for patients 18 years of age and older prescribed, or continued on, two or more opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine concurrently at discharge
Measure Scoring	Proportion measure	Proportion measure	Proportion measure
Measure Type	Process	Process	Process
Stratification	*See CMS506v5.html	None	None
Risk Adjustment	*See CMS506v5.html	None	None
Rationale	*See CMS506v5.html	Unintentional opioid overdose fatalities have become a major public health concern in the United States (Rudd et al., 2016). Reducing the number of unintentional overdoses has become a priority for numerous federal organizations including, but not limited to, the Centers for Disease... Control and Prevention (CDC), the Federal Interagency Workgroup for Opioid Adverse Drug Events, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Concurrent prescriptions of opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines places patients at a greater risk of unintentional overdose due to the increased risk of respiratory depression (Dowell, Haegerich, & Chou, 2016 and Dowell, Ragan, Jones, Baldwin, & Chou, 2022). An analysis of national prescribing patterns shows that more than half of patients who received an opioid prescription in 2009 had filled another opioid prescription within the previous 30 days (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011). Studies of multiple claims and prescription databases have shown that between 5%-15% of patients receive concurrent opioid prescriptions and 5%-20% of patients receive concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions across various settings (Liu et al., 2013; Mack et al., 2015, Park et al., 2015). Patients who have multiple opioid prescriptions have an increased risk for overdose (Jena et al., 2014). Rates of fatal overdose are ten times higher in patients who are co-dispensed opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines than opioids alone (Dasgupta et al., 2015). The number of opioid overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines increased 14% on average each year from 2006 to 2011, while the number of opioid analgesic overdose deaths not involving benzodiazepines did not change significantly (Jones & McAninch, 2015). Furthermore, concurrent use of benzodiazepines with opioids was prevalent in 31%-51% of fatal overdoses (Dowell, Haegerich, & Chou, 2016). One study found that eliminating concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines could reduce the risk of opioid overdose-related emergency department (ED) and inpatient visits by 15% and potentially could have prevented an estimated 2,630 deaths related to opioid painkiller overdoses in 2015 (Sun et al., 2017). A study on The Opioid Safety Initiative in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which includes an opioid and benzodiazepine concurrent prescribing measure that this measure is based on, was associated with a decrease of 20.67% overall and 0.86% patients per month (781 patients per month) receiving concurrent benzodiazepine with an opioid among all adult VHA patients who filled outpatient opioid prescriptions from October 2012 to September 2014 (Lin et al., 2017). Adopting a measure that calculates the proportion of patients with two or more opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently has the potential to reduce preventable mortality and reduce the costs associated with adverse events related to opioid use by (1) encouraging providers to identify patients with concurrent prescriptions of opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines and (2) discouraging providers from prescribing two or more opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently. Show more > Unintentional opioid overdose fatalities have become a major public health concern in the United States (Rudd et al., 2016). Reducing the number of unintentional overdoses has become a priority for numerous federal organizations including, but not limited to, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Federal Interagency Workgroup for Opioid Adverse Drug Events, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Concurrent prescriptions of opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines places patients at a greater risk of unintentional overdose due to the increased risk of respiratory depression (Dowell, Haegerich, & Chou, 2016 and Dowell, Ragan, Jones, Baldwin, & Chou, 2022). An analysis of national prescribing patterns shows that more than half of patients who received an opioid prescription in 2009 had filled another opioid prescription within the previous 30 days (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011). Studies of multiple claims and prescription databases have shown that between 5%-15% of patients receive concurrent opioid prescriptions and 5%-20% of patients receive concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions across various settings (Liu et al., 2013; Mack et al., 2015, Park et al., 2015). Patients who have multiple opioid prescriptions have an increased risk for overdose (Jena et al., 2014). Rates of fatal overdose are ten times higher in patients who are co-dispensed opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines than opioids alone (Dasgupta et al., 2015). The number of opioid overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines increased 14% on average each year from 2006 to 2011, while the number of opioid analgesic overdose deaths not involving benzodiazepines did not change significantly (Jones & McAninch, 2015). Furthermore, concurrent use of benzodiazepines with opioids was prevalent in 31%-51% of fatal overdoses (Dowell, Haegerich, & Chou, 2016). One study found that eliminating concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines could reduce the risk of opioid overdose-related emergency department (ED) and inpatient visits by 15% and potentially could have prevented an estimated 2,630 deaths related to opioid painkiller overdoses in 2015 (Sun et al., 2017). A study on The Opioid Safety Initiative in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which includes an opioid and benzodiazepine concurrent prescribing measure that this measure is based on, was associated with a decrease of 20.67% overall and 0.86% patients per month (781 patients per month) receiving concurrent benzodiazepine with an opioid among all adult VHA patients who filled outpatient opioid prescriptions from October 2012 to September 2014 (Lin et al., 2017). Adopting a measure that calculates the proportion of patients with two or more opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently has the potential to reduce preventable mortality and reduce the costs associated with adverse events related to opioid use by (1) encouraging providers to identify patients with concurrent prescriptions of opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines and (2) discouraging providers from prescribing two or more opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently. Show less	Unintentional opioid overdose fatalities have become a major public health concern in the United States (Rudd et al., 2016). Reducing the number of unintentional overdoses has become a priority for numerous federal organizations including, but not limited to, the Centers for Disease... Control and Prevention (CDC), the Federal Interagency Workgroup for Opioid Adverse Drug Events, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Concurrent prescriptions of opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines places patients at a greater risk of unintentional overdose due to the increased risk of respiratory depression (Dowell, Haegerich, & Chou, 2016; Dowell, Ragan, Jones, Baldwin, & Chou, 2022). An analysis of national prescribing patterns shows that more than half of patients who received an opioid prescription in 2009 had filled another opioid prescription within the previous 30 days (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011). Studies of multiple claims and prescription databases have shown that between 5%-15% of patients receive concurrent opioid prescriptions and 5%-20% of patients receive concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions across various settings (Liu et al., 2013; Mack et al., 2015, Park et al., 2015). Patients who have multiple opioid prescriptions have an increased risk for overdose (Jena et al., 2014). Rates of fatal overdose are ten times higher in patients who are co-dispensed opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines than opioids alone (Dasgupta et al., 2015). The number of opioid overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines increased 14% on average each year from 2006 to 2011, while the number of opioid analgesic overdose deaths not involving benzodiazepines did not change significantly (Jones & McAninch, 2015). Furthermore, concurrent use of benzodiazepines with opioids was prevalent in 31%-51% of fatal overdoses (Dowell, Haegerich, & Chou, 2016). One study found that eliminating concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines could reduce the risk of opioid overdose-related emergency department (ED) and inpatient visits by 15% and potentially could have prevented an estimated 2,630 deaths related to opioid painkiller overdoses in 2015 (Sun et al., 2017). A study on The Opioid Safety Initiative in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which includes an opioid and benzodiazepine concurrent prescribing measure that this measure is based on, was associated with a decrease of 20.67% overall and 0.86% patients per month (781 patients per month) receiving concurrent benzodiazepine with an opioid among all adult VHA patients who filled outpatient opioid prescriptions from October 2012 to September 2014 (Lin et al., 2017). Adopting a measure that calculates the proportion of patients with two or more opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently has the potential to reduce preventable mortality and reduce the costs associated with adverse events related to opioid use by (1) encouraging providers to identify patients with concurrent prescriptions of opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines and (2) discouraging providers from prescribing two or more opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently. Show more > Unintentional opioid overdose fatalities have become a major public health concern in the United States (Rudd et al., 2016). Reducing the number of unintentional overdoses has become a priority for numerous federal organizations including, but not limited to, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Federal Interagency Workgroup for Opioid Adverse Drug Events, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Concurrent prescriptions of opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines places patients at a greater risk of unintentional overdose due to the increased risk of respiratory depression (Dowell, Haegerich, & Chou, 2016; Dowell, Ragan, Jones, Baldwin, & Chou, 2022). An analysis of national prescribing patterns shows that more than half of patients who received an opioid prescription in 2009 had filled another opioid prescription within the previous 30 days (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011). Studies of multiple claims and prescription databases have shown that between 5%-15% of patients receive concurrent opioid prescriptions and 5%-20% of patients receive concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions across various settings (Liu et al., 2013; Mack et al., 2015, Park et al., 2015). Patients who have multiple opioid prescriptions have an increased risk for overdose (Jena et al., 2014). Rates of fatal overdose are ten times higher in patients who are co-dispensed opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines than opioids alone (Dasgupta et al., 2015). The number of opioid overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines increased 14% on average each year from 2006 to 2011, while the number of opioid analgesic overdose deaths not involving benzodiazepines did not change significantly (Jones & McAninch, 2015). Furthermore, concurrent use of benzodiazepines with opioids was prevalent in 31%-51% of fatal overdoses (Dowell, Haegerich, & Chou, 2016). One study found that eliminating concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines could reduce the risk of opioid overdose-related emergency department (ED) and inpatient visits by 15% and potentially could have prevented an estimated 2,630 deaths related to opioid painkiller overdoses in 2015 (Sun et al., 2017). A study on The Opioid Safety Initiative in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which includes an opioid and benzodiazepine concurrent prescribing measure that this measure is based on, was associated with a decrease of 20.67% overall and 0.86% patients per month (781 patients per month) receiving concurrent benzodiazepine with an opioid among all adult VHA patients who filled outpatient opioid prescriptions from October 2012 to September 2014 (Lin et al., 2017). Adopting a measure that calculates the proportion of patients with two or more opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently has the potential to reduce preventable mortality and reduce the costs associated with adverse events related to opioid use by (1) encouraging providers to identify patients with concurrent prescriptions of opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines and (2) discouraging providers from prescribing two or more opioids or opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently. Show less
Clinical Recommendation Statement	*See CMS506v5.html	The CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain — United States, 2022 recommends that clinicians should: - “[Use strategies minimizing] opioid use…for both opioid-naïve and opioid-tolerant patients with acute pain when possible. If patients receiving long-term opioid... therapy require additional medication for acute pain, nonopioid medications should be used when possible.” - ”Use particular caution when prescribing opioid pain medication and benzodiazepines concurrently." - “Review increased risks for respiratory depression when opioids are taken with benzodiazepines, other sedatives, alcohol, nonprescribed or illicit drugs (e.g., heroin), or other opioids (see Recommendations 8 and 11)” - “Closely monitor patients who are unable to taper and who continue on high-dose or otherwise high-risk opioid regimens (e.g., opioids prescribed concurrently with benzodiazepines) and should work with patients to mitigate overdose risk (e.g., by providing overdose education and naloxone) (see Recommendation 8).” - "Discuss information from the PDMP with the patient and confirm that the patient is aware of any additional prescriptions.” - “Discuss safety concerns, including increased risk for respiratory depression and overdose, with patients found to be receiving overlapping prescription opioids from multiple clinicians who are not coordinating the patient’s care or patients who are receiving medications that increase risk when combined with opioids (e.g., benzodiazepines) (see Recommendation 11), and offer naloxone (see Recommendation 8). - "Discuss safety concerns with other clinicians who are prescribing controlled substances for the patient. Ideally, clinicians should first discuss concerns with the patient and inform them that they plan to coordinate care with their other clinicians to improve the patient’s safety.” " In addition to the 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, opioid prescribing guidelines issued by various state agencies and professional societies for various settings agree with the recommendation to avoid concurrently prescribing opioids (American Academy of Emergency Medicine and Washington Agency Medical Directors’ Group (WAMDG)), and opioids and benzodiazepines (WAMDG, American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, and New York City Department Of Health and Mental Hygiene) whenever possible as the combination of these medications may potentiate opioid-induced respiratory depression. Show more > The CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain — United States, 2022 recommends that clinicians should: - “[Use strategies minimizing] opioid use…for both opioid-naïve and opioid-tolerant patients with acute pain when possible. If patients receiving long-term opioid therapy require additional medication for acute pain, nonopioid medications should be used when possible.” - ”Use particular caution when prescribing opioid pain medication and benzodiazepines concurrently." - “Review increased risks for respiratory depression when opioids are taken with benzodiazepines, other sedatives, alcohol, nonprescribed or illicit drugs (e.g., heroin), or other opioids (see Recommendations 8 and 11)” - “Closely monitor patients who are unable to taper and who continue on high-dose or otherwise high-risk opioid regimens (e.g., opioids prescribed concurrently with benzodiazepines) and should work with patients to mitigate overdose risk (e.g., by providing overdose education and naloxone) (see Recommendation 8).” - "Discuss information from the PDMP with the patient and confirm that the patient is aware of any additional prescriptions.” - “Discuss safety concerns, including increased risk for respiratory depression and overdose, with patients found to be receiving overlapping prescription opioids from multiple clinicians who are not coordinating the patient’s care or patients who are receiving medications that increase risk when combined with opioids (e.g., benzodiazepines) (see Recommendation 11), and offer naloxone (see Recommendation 8). - "Discuss safety concerns with other clinicians who are prescribing controlled substances for the patient. Ideally, clinicians should first discuss concerns with the patient and inform them that they plan to coordinate care with their other clinicians to improve the patient’s safety.” " In addition to the 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, opioid prescribing guidelines issued by various state agencies and professional societies for various settings agree with the recommendation to avoid concurrently prescribing opioids (American Academy of Emergency Medicine and Washington Agency Medical Directors’ Group (WAMDG)), and opioids and benzodiazepines (WAMDG, American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, and New York City Department Of Health and Mental Hygiene) whenever possible as the combination of these medications may potentiate opioid-induced respiratory depression. Show less	The CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain — United States, 2022 recommends that clinicians should: - “[Use strategies minimizing] opioid use…for both opioid-naïve and opioid-tolerant patients with acute pain when possible. If patients receiving long-term opioid... therapy require additional medication for acute pain, nonopioid medications should be used when possible.” - ”Use particular caution when prescribing opioid pain medication and benzodiazepines concurrently." - “Review increased risks for respiratory depression when opioids are taken with benzodiazepines, other sedatives, alcohol, nonprescribed or illicit drugs (e.g., heroin), or other opioids (see Recommendations 8 and 11)” - “Closely monitor patients who are unable to taper and who continue on high-dose or otherwise high-risk opioid regimens (e.g., opioids prescribed concurrently with benzodiazepines) and should work with patients to mitigate overdose risk (e.g., by providing overdose education and naloxone) (see Recommendation 8).” - "Discuss information from the PDMP with the patient and confirm that the patient is aware of any additional prescriptions.” - “Discuss safety concerns, including increased risk for respiratory depression and overdose, with patients found to be receiving overlapping prescription opioids from multiple clinicians who are not coordinating the patient’s care or patients who are receiving medications that increase risk when combined with opioids (e.g., benzodiazepines) (see Recommendation 11), and offer naloxone (see Recommendation 8)." - "Discuss safety concerns with other clinicians who are prescribing controlled substances for the patient. Ideally, clinicians should first discuss concerns with the patient and inform them that they plan to coordinate care with their other clinicians to improve the patient’s safety.” In addition to the 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, opioid prescribing guidelines issued by various state agencies and professional societies for various settings agree with the recommendation to avoid concurrently prescribing opioids (American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM), 2013; and Washington Agency Medical Directors’ Group (WAMDG), 2015), and opioids and benzodiazepines (WAMDG, 2015; American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), 2012;, and New York City Department Of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DPOMH), 2013) whenever possible as the combination of these medications may potentiate opioid-induced respiratory depression. Show more > The CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain — United States, 2022 recommends that clinicians should: - “[Use strategies minimizing] opioid use…for both opioid-naïve and opioid-tolerant patients with acute pain when possible. If patients receiving long-term opioid therapy require additional medication for acute pain, nonopioid medications should be used when possible.” - ”Use particular caution when prescribing opioid pain medication and benzodiazepines concurrently." - “Review increased risks for respiratory depression when opioids are taken with benzodiazepines, other sedatives, alcohol, nonprescribed or illicit drugs (e.g., heroin), or other opioids (see Recommendations 8 and 11)” - “Closely monitor patients who are unable to taper and who continue on high-dose or otherwise high-risk opioid regimens (e.g., opioids prescribed concurrently with benzodiazepines) and should work with patients to mitigate overdose risk (e.g., by providing overdose education and naloxone) (see Recommendation 8).” - "Discuss information from the PDMP with the patient and confirm that the patient is aware of any additional prescriptions.” - “Discuss safety concerns, including increased risk for respiratory depression and overdose, with patients found to be receiving overlapping prescription opioids from multiple clinicians who are not coordinating the patient’s care or patients who are receiving medications that increase risk when combined with opioids (e.g., benzodiazepines) (see Recommendation 11), and offer naloxone (see Recommendation 8)." - "Discuss safety concerns with other clinicians who are prescribing controlled substances for the patient. Ideally, clinicians should first discuss concerns with the patient and inform them that they plan to coordinate care with their other clinicians to improve the patient’s safety.” In addition to the 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, opioid prescribing guidelines issued by various state agencies and professional societies for various settings agree with the recommendation to avoid concurrently prescribing opioids (American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM), 2013; and Washington Agency Medical Directors’ Group (WAMDG), 2015), and opioids and benzodiazepines (WAMDG, 2015; American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), 2012;, and New York City Department Of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DPOMH), 2013) whenever possible as the combination of these medications may potentiate opioid-induced respiratory depression. Show less
Improvement Notation	Improvement noted as a decrease in the rate	Improvement noted as a decrease in the rate	Improvement noted as a decrease in the rate
Definition	*See CMS506v5.html	For the purpose of this measure, the following are defined as: - Opioid: Any Schedule II or III opioid medication - Benzodiazepine: Any Schedule IV benzodiazepine medication - Prescribed: The intent of the measure is to capture opioid and/or benzodiazepine medications continued or ordered... at discharge - Numerator criteria: Two or more unique orders for opioids, or an opioid and benzodiazepine at discharge Show more > For the purpose of this measure, the following are defined as: - Opioid: Any Schedule II or III opioid medication - Benzodiazepine: Any Schedule IV benzodiazepine medication - Prescribed: The intent of the measure is to capture opioid and/or benzodiazepine medications continued or ordered at discharge - Numerator criteria: Two or more unique orders for opioids, or an opioid and benzodiazepine at discharge Show less	For the purpose of this measure, the following are defined as: - Opioid: Schedule II, III and IV Opioid Medications that do not include naloxone. - Benzodiazepine: Schedule IV benzodiazepine medications. - Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: Methadone, buprenorphine and buprenorphine in... combination with naloxone. - Prescribed: The intent of the measure is to capture opioid and/or benzodiazepine medications continued or ordered at discharge - Numerator criteria: Two or more unique orders for opioids, or an opioid and benzodiazepine at discharge Show more > For the purpose of this measure, the following are defined as: - Opioid: Schedule II, III and IV Opioid Medications that do not include naloxone. - Benzodiazepine: Schedule IV benzodiazepine medications. - Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: Methadone, buprenorphine and buprenorphine in combination with naloxone. - Prescribed: The intent of the measure is to capture opioid and/or benzodiazepine medications continued or ordered at discharge - Numerator criteria: Two or more unique orders for opioids, or an opioid and benzodiazepine at discharge Show less
Guidance	Clinician judgement, clinical appropriateness, or both may indicate concurrent prescribing of two unique opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine is medically necessary, thus the measure is not expected to have a zero rate. Inpatient hospitalizations with discharge medications of a new or... continuing opioid or a new or continuing benzodiazepine prescription should be included in the initial population. Inpatient hospitalizations with discharge medications of two or more new or continuing opioids or new or continuing opioid and benzodiazepine resulting in concurrent therapy at discharge should be included in the numerator. Each benzodiazepine and opioid included on the medication discharge list is considered a unique prescription. The denominator population includes patients with inpatient hospitalizations and patients from Acute Hospital Care at Home programs, who are treated and billed as inpatients but receive care in their home. This eCQM is an episode-based measure. An episode is defined as each inpatient hospitalization or encounter that ends during the measurement period. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM. Show more > Clinician judgement, clinical appropriateness, or both may indicate concurrent prescribing of two unique opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine is medically necessary, thus the measure is not expected to have a zero rate. Inpatient hospitalizations with discharge medications of a new or continuing opioid or a new or continuing benzodiazepine prescription should be included in the initial population. Inpatient hospitalizations with discharge medications of two or more new or continuing opioids or new or continuing opioid and benzodiazepine resulting in concurrent therapy at discharge should be included in the numerator. Each benzodiazepine and opioid included on the medication discharge list is considered a unique prescription. The denominator population includes patients with inpatient hospitalizations and patients from Acute Hospital Care at Home programs, who are treated and billed as inpatients but receive care in their home. This eCQM is an episode-based measure. An episode is defined as each inpatient hospitalization or encounter that ends during the measurement period. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM. Show less	Clinician judgement, clinical appropriateness, or both may indicate concurrent prescribing of two unique opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine is medically necessary, thus the measure is not expected to have a zero rate. Inpatient hospitalizations with discharge medications of a new or... continuing opioid or a new or continuing benzodiazepine prescription should be included in the initial population. Inpatient hospitalizations with discharge medications of two or more new or continuing opioids or new or continuing opioid and benzodiazepine resulting in concurrent therapy at discharge should be included in the numerator. Each benzodiazepine and opioid included on the medication discharge list is considered a unique prescription. The denominator population includes patients with inpatient hospitalizations and patients from Acute Hospital Care at Home programs, who are treated and billed as inpatients but receive care in their home. This eCQM is an episode-based measure. An episode is defined as each inpatient hospitalization or encounter that ends during the measurement period. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM. Show more > Clinician judgement, clinical appropriateness, or both may indicate concurrent prescribing of two unique opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine is medically necessary, thus the measure is not expected to have a zero rate. Inpatient hospitalizations with discharge medications of a new or continuing opioid or a new or continuing benzodiazepine prescription should be included in the initial population. Inpatient hospitalizations with discharge medications of two or more new or continuing opioids or new or continuing opioid and benzodiazepine resulting in concurrent therapy at discharge should be included in the numerator. Each benzodiazepine and opioid included on the medication discharge list is considered a unique prescription. The denominator population includes patients with inpatient hospitalizations and patients from Acute Hospital Care at Home programs, who are treated and billed as inpatients but receive care in their home. This eCQM is an episode-based measure. An episode is defined as each inpatient hospitalization or encounter that ends during the measurement period. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM. Show less	Clinician judgement, clinical appropriateness, or both may indicate concurrent prescribing of two unique opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine is medically necessary, thus the measure is not expected to have a zero rate. Inpatient hospitalizations with discharge medications of a new or... continuing opioid or a new or continuing benzodiazepine prescription should be included in the initial population. Inpatient hospitalizations with discharge medications of two or more new or continuing opioids or new or continuing opioid and benzodiazepine resulting in concurrent therapy at discharge should be included in the numerator. Each benzodiazepine and opioid included on the medication discharge list is considered a unique prescription. The denominator population includes patients with inpatient hospitalizations and patients from Acute Hospital Care at Home programs, who are treated and billed as inpatients but receive care in their home. This eCQM is an episode-based measure. An episode is defined as each inpatient hospitalization or encounter that ends during the measurement period. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM. Show more > Clinician judgement, clinical appropriateness, or both may indicate concurrent prescribing of two unique opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine is medically necessary, thus the measure is not expected to have a zero rate. Inpatient hospitalizations with discharge medications of a new or continuing opioid or a new or continuing benzodiazepine prescription should be included in the initial population. Inpatient hospitalizations with discharge medications of two or more new or continuing opioids or new or continuing opioid and benzodiazepine resulting in concurrent therapy at discharge should be included in the numerator. Each benzodiazepine and opioid included on the medication discharge list is considered a unique prescription. The denominator population includes patients with inpatient hospitalizations and patients from Acute Hospital Care at Home programs, who are treated and billed as inpatients but receive care in their home. This eCQM is an episode-based measure. An episode is defined as each inpatient hospitalization or encounter that ends during the measurement period. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM. Show less
Initial Population	Inpatient hospitalizations (inpatient stay less than or equal to 120 days) that end during the measurement period, where the patient is 18 years of age and older at the start of the encounter and prescribed one or more new or continuing opioid or benzodiazepine at discharge ... Show more > Inpatient hospitalizations (inpatient stay less than or equal to 120 days) that end during the measurement period, where the patient is 18 years of age and older at the start of the encounter and prescribed one or more new or continuing opioid or benzodiazepine at discharge Show less	Inpatient hospitalizations (inpatient stay less than or equal to 120 days) that end during the measurement period, where the patient is 18 years of age and older at the start of the encounter and prescribed one or more new or continuing opioid or benzodiazepine at discharge ... Show more > Inpatient hospitalizations (inpatient stay less than or equal to 120 days) that end during the measurement period, where the patient is 18 years of age and older at the start of the encounter and prescribed one or more new or continuing opioid or benzodiazepine at discharge Show less	Inpatient hospitalizations that end during the measurement period, where the patient is 18 years of age and older at the start of the encounter and prescribed one or more new or continuing opioid or benzodiazepine at discharge
Denominator	Initial Population	Initial Population	Equals Initial Population
Denominator Exclusions	Inpatient hospitalizations where patients have cancer that begins prior to or during the encounter or are receiving palliative or hospice care (including comfort measures, terminal care, and dying care) during the encounter, patients discharged to another inpatient care facility, and... patients who expire during the inpatient stay Show more > Inpatient hospitalizations where patients have cancer that begins prior to or during the encounter or are receiving palliative or hospice care (including comfort measures, terminal care, and dying care) during the encounter, patients discharged to another inpatient care facility, and patients who expire during the inpatient stay Show less	Inpatient hospitalizations where patients have cancer that begins prior to or during the encounter or are ordered or are receiving palliative or hospice care (including comfort measures, terminal care, and dying care) during the hospitalization or in an emergency department encounter or... observation stay immediately prior to hospitalization, patients discharged to another inpatient care facility, and patients who expire during the inpatient stay. Show more > Inpatient hospitalizations where patients have cancer that begins prior to or during the encounter or are ordered or are receiving palliative or hospice care (including comfort measures, terminal care, and dying care) during the hospitalization or in an emergency department encounter or observation stay immediately prior to hospitalization, patients discharged to another inpatient care facility, and patients who expire during the inpatient stay. Show less	Inpatient hospitalizations where patients have cancer pain that begins prior to or during the encounter or are ordered or are receiving palliative or hospice care (including comfort measures, terminal care, and dying care) during the hospitalization or in an emergency department... encounter or observation stay immediately prior to hospitalization, patients receiving medication for opioid use disorder, patients with sickle cell disease, patients discharged to another inpatient care facility or left against medical advice, and patients who expire during the inpatient stay Show more > Inpatient hospitalizations where patients have cancer pain that begins prior to or during the encounter or are ordered or are receiving palliative or hospice care (including comfort measures, terminal care, and dying care) during the hospitalization or in an emergency department encounter or observation stay immediately prior to hospitalization, patients receiving medication for opioid use disorder, patients with sickle cell disease, patients discharged to another inpatient care facility or left against medical advice, and patients who expire during the inpatient stay Show less
Numerator	Inpatient hospitalizations where the patient is prescribed or continuing to take two or more opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine at discharge	Inpatient hospitalizations where the patient is prescribed or continuing to take two or more opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine at discharge	Inpatient hospitalizations where the patient is prescribed or continuing to take two or more opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine at discharge
Numerator Exclusions	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Denominator Exceptions	None	None	None
Next Version	CMS506v6	CMS506v7	No Version Available
Previous Version	No Version Available	CMS506v5	CMS506v6

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There is a known issue on CMS506v7. See issue EKI-31 on the ONC eCQM Known Issues Dashboard for details.

Additional Resources for CMS506v7

CMS506v7-TRN.xlsx

Header

Updated the eCQM version number.
Measure Section:
eCQM Version Number
Source of Change:
Annual Update
Changed all references from NQF to CBE to identify the consensus-based entity role.
Measure Section:
CBE Number
Source of Change:
Annual Update
Updated copyright.
Measure Section:
Copyright
Source of Change:
Annual Update
Added definition of schedule IV opioids to reflect the new group of applicable opioids for measure criteria.
Measure Section:
Definition
Source of Change:
Expert Work Group Review
Updated header definition to include 'Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: Methadone, buprenorphine and buprenorphine in combination with naloxone' to align with measure updates.
Measure Section:
Definition
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added exclusion for patients who left against medical advice to reduce potential burden.
Measure Section:
Denominator Exclusions
Source of Change:
ONC Project Tracking System (JIRA): CQM-4418
Added exclusion for patients with opioid use disorder or taking medications for opioid use disorder because use of concurrent opioids at discharge could be important for ongoing care.
Measure Section:
Denominator Exclusions
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added exclusion for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) or patients with SCD in crisis to align with the CDC guidelines for prescribing opioids.
Measure Section:
Denominator Exclusions
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Updated language in the Denominator Exclusions to align with the addition of the 'Cancer Related Pain' value set, which replaced the 'All Primary and Secondary Cancer' value set.
Measure Section:
Denominator Exclusions
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Updated grammar, wording, and/or formatting to improve readability and consistency.
Measure Section:
Multiple Sections
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Updated references and measure header to reflect current evidence and new or updated literature.
Measure Section:
Multiple Sections
Source of Change:
Measure Lead

Logic

Replaced 'All Primary and Secondary Cancer' value set with 'Cancer Related Pain' value set.
Measure Section:
Denominator Exclusions
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added exclusion for patients with opioid use disorder or taking medications for opioid use disorder because use of concurrent opioids at discharge could be important for ongoing care.
Measure Section:
Denominator Exclusions
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added exclusion for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) or patients with SCD in crisis to align with the CDC guidelines for prescribing opioids.
Measure Section:
Denominator Exclusions
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added 'day of' to measure logic to improve precision in timing.
Measure Section:
Denominator Exclusions
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added exclusion for patients who left against medical advice to reduce potential burden.
Measure Section:
Denominator Exclusions
Source of Change:
ONC Project Tracking System (JIRA): CQM-4418
Added 'day of' to measure logic to improve precision in timing.
Measure Section:
Numerator
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added schedule IV opioids to reflect the new group of applicable opioids for measure criteria.
Measure Section:
Numerator
Source of Change:
Expert Work Group Review
Updated Numerator logic by removing the second reference to inpatient encounters, so that there is no longer repetition of the numerator population, and data from different encounters is not pulled in.
Measure Section:
Numerator
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added schedule IV opioids to reflect the new group of applicable opioids for measure criteria.
Measure Section:
Definitions
Source of Change:
Expert Work Group Review
Renamed value set to 'Payer Type' to more accurately reflect the contents and intent of the value set.
Measure Section:
Definitions
Source of Change:
Standards/Technical Update
Updated the names of CQL definitions, functions, and/or aliases for clarification and to align with the CQL Style Guide.
Measure Section:
Definitions
Source of Change:
Standards/Technical Update
Updated the version number of the Measure Authoring Tool (MAT) Global Common Functions Library to v8.0.000 and the library name from 'MATGlobalCommonFunctions' to 'MATGlobalCommonFunctionsQDM.'
Measure Section:
Definitions
Source of Change:
Annual Update
Updated the version number of the Measure Authoring Tool (MAT) Global Common Functions Library to v8.0.000 and the library name from 'MATGlobalCommonFunctions' to 'MATGlobalCommonFunctionsQDM.'
Measure Section:
Functions
Source of Change:
Annual Update

Value Set

The VSAC is the source of truth for the value set content, please visit the VSAC for downloads of current value sets.

Replaced value set All Primary and Secondary Cancer (2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1111.161) with value set Cancer Related Pain (2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1111.180) based on change in measure requirements/measure specification.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added value set Left Against Medical Advice (2.16.840.1.113883.3.117.1.7.1.308) based on change in measure requirements/measure specification.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added value set Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) (2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1046.269) based on change in measure requirements/measure specification.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added value set Opioid Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) (2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1111.177) based on change in measure requirements/measure specification.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added value set Opioid Use Disorder (2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1111.171) based on change in measure requirements/measure specification.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Value set (2.16.840.1.114222.4.11.3591): Renamed to Payer Type based on recommended value set naming conventions.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Annual Update
Replaced value set Schedule II & III Opioid Medications (2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1111.165) with value set Schedule II, III and IV Opioid Medications (2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1046.241) based on change in measure requirements/measure specification.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Value set Schedule IV Benzodiazepines (2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1125.1): Added 1 RxNorm code (2383946) based on change in measure requirements/measure specification.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Added value set Sickle Cell Disease with and without Crisis (2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1111.175) based on change in measure requirements/measure specification.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Measure Lead