Chronic pain is a common health concern in the United States, particularly among people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. However, clinicians face challenges in treating pain in a manner that meets the needs and preferences of people experiencing pain. While opioids are commonly prescribed to treat acute and chronic pain, there are ongoing considerations surrounding their risks and benefits. Inappropriately treated pain may result in the increased use of illicit drugs and other substances to help relieve pain, substance-use disorder, as well as increased suicide risk.
In treating chronic pain, it is important for providers and health plans to adopt pain-management strategies that are person-centered, tailored to each individual, and that optimize health, function, and quality of life. Experts recommend that pain management be integrated, multimodal, interdisciplinary, evidence-based, and individualized, in keeping with the biopsychosocial model of pain. Health plans and providers may also need additional strategies for adequately addressing pain needs due to the increased challenges posed by COVID-19, including less access to pain-management treatment, increased stress and isolation, and increased substance use to address untreated pain.
This panel will discuss non-opioid pain-management strategies for dually eligible individuals, including effective, person-centered pain management options; challenges health plans and clinicians face in providing effective chronic pain-management support; and strategies for addressing pain needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By the end of this panel discussion, participants should be able to:
Featured Speakers:
Intended Audience:
The target audience for this webinar includes providers and health care professionals serving people experiencing pain; and staff at health plans, including Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMPs), Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), and managed LTSS plans.
