Assessment and Interventions for Substance Use and Opioid Use Disorders
Substance Use Disorders _SUD and Opioid Use Disorders _OUD can present in primary care and specialty settings. Molina’s goal is to encourage and support providers in prevention, screening and intervention efforts at all levels of care regardless of specialty. Dependence and addiction can stand alone, but there can also be a relationship between mental health and/or chronic pain related opioid therapy. Molina continues to align with nationally recognized clinical guidelines to ensure access and appropriate interventions are available to manage SUDs and OUDs, as well as co-occurring conditions.
A pattern of substance use _alcohol or other drugs may lead to clinical impairment affecting your patient’s overall health and well-being. During your evaluation of your patient, you may discover a further need to assess the frequency of use, drug of choice _prescribed or non-prescribed due to presenting factors, including: a developed tolerance leading to more use over time; persistent inability to cut down or stop use; a strong desire or urge to use substances resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school or home.
Screening
Molina Healthcare recommends the use of the CAGE-AID to screen for alcohol and other drug abuse & dependence. You can obtain a copy of the CAGE-AID, as well as background and metrics directly on the SAMHSA website at https://www.integration.samhsa.gov/images/res/CAGEAID.pdf
The CAGE-AID questionnaire is used to test for alcohol and other drug abuse and dependence in adults .
The tool is not diagnostic, but is indicative of the existence of an alcohol or other drug problem.
Each item on the CAGE-AID are scored 0 or 1. A total score of 2 or greater is considered clinically significant, which then should lead the physician to ask more specific questions about frequency and quantity CAGE is derived from the four questions of the tool:
- Cut down
- Annoyed
- Guilt
- Eye-Opener
- “AID” refers to Adapted to Include Drug Use
| When thinking about drug use, include illegal drug use and the use of prescription drug use other than prescribed. | YES | NO |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Have you felt you should cut down or stop drinking or using drugs? | ||
| 2. Has anyone annoyed you or gotten on your nerves by telling you to cut down or stop drinking or using drugs? | ||
| 3. Have you felt guilty or bad about how much you drink or use drugs? | ||
| 4. Have you been waking up wanting to have an alcoholic drink or use drugs? _eye-opening | ||
| TOTAL 'YES' SCORE |
| SCORING | Regard one or more positive responses to the CAGE-AID as a positive screen. |
|---|
ICD 10 Codes
ICD 10 codes capture current symptoms, severity, and onset
Opioid Dependence with Withdrawal: F11.23
Opioid Dependence with Opioid-Induced Mood Disorder: F11.24
Treatment Options
Providers are responsible for coordinating care and providing or referring members to appropriate treatment. Treatment benefits vary for each member, so providers are encouraged to check member’s benefit structure prior to referring.
Medication-Assisted Therapy _MAT
There are FDA-approved medication based therapies to treat opioid dependence, such as Buprenorphine and Naltrexone. MAT services may be covered for the member; however, providers are encouraged to verify coverage.
Outpatient/Intermediate Services
Psychotherapy, Intensive Outpatient Programs, or Partial Hospitalization Programs may be covered for the member. Providers are encouraged to verify benefit coverage and refer to an in-network provider or program as clinically appropriate.
Residential Treatment Centers _RTC
RTC may be a covered benefit for members with more intensive needs and who meet medical necessity for these services. Please verify coverage and request an in-network program.
Key Interventions for Providers
- Support member in locating local 12-Step or self-support recovery meetings, such as Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, or Celebrate Recovery.
- Connect eligible members to the Molina Medication Therapy Management _MTM Program for support with medication reconciliation and prescription safety. Reach out to the Molina Case Management Team to determine eligibility for this program.
- Educate members about local Controlled Substance Public Disposal locations. Collection sites can be located by contacting local law enforcement or by searching by zip code on the US Drug Enforcement Agency’s Locator Tool.
- Refer members to the Molina Case Management Program for integrated care coordination.
CDC Guidelines on Rx Opioids and Chronic Pain
The Center for Disease and Control Prevention _CDC established Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. Molina Healthcare aligns with these guidelines, which are intended to improve communication between providers and patients about risks and benefits of opioid therapy, as well as provide support to providers in reducing associated risks and improving the safety and effectiveness of pain. Visit the CDC’s Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain to access the complete list, which includes:
- 12 Guidelines for Prescribing
- Clinical Reminders
- Determining when to start/continue opioid therapy for chronic pain
- Opioid selection, dosage, duration, follow-up
- Assessing for risk and harm
Resources and Partnerships
- MolinaHealthCare.com Provider Website- Offers education, clinical recommendations, and CMEs specific to pain and opioid safety.
- SAMHSA’s MAT Practitioner Locator- Find a MAT provider by zip code
- Molina Case Management- To refer a member to Complex Care Coordination
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration _SAMHSA
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention _CDC
- American Society of Addiction Medicine _ASAM
- National Institute on Drug Abuse _NIDA
Case Scenario
48 year old male presents with tolerance - use has increased from 12 12-oz beers daily to 18-20 12- oz beers daily. Has tried but states he's unable to stop use despite work and marriage problems due to alcohol dependence. Missing work 3-4 days/month. Late to work several times/week. Increase in intensity of arguments with wife, whom is threatening to divorce.
Assessment and Diagnosis: Patient is aware of risks of continuing use especially given A-fib and Coumadin medication therapy _F10.20, Alcohol Dependence, Uncomplicated.
Plan: Referred patient to AA meetings or other 12-step support program. Patient will consider.
**For specific Risk Adjustable codes related to Substance Use Disorders, contact