Watchdog warns VA about growing risk of opioid abuse among veterans
September 09, 2017
A recently released government report is cautioning the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about the growing risk of opioid abuse among veterans. The VA Office of Inspector General urged the department to enhance the monitoring of opioid prescriptions to veterans from private-sector health care providers.
The VA watchdog said veterans who use VA programs, like the VA Choice program, to receive private-sector care are at “a significant risk” of opioid addiction due to over-prescription to treat chronic pain and mental health conditions. The report blamed the problem on lack of communication between VA doctors and non-VA health care providers regarding crucial prescription information.
“Health-care providers serving veterans should be following consistent guidelines for prescribing opioids and sharing information that ensures quality care for high-risk veterans,” VA Inspector General Michael Missal said in a statement.
The VA Choice program was established to expand access to health care for veterans who live a long distance from a VA facility or are unable to see a VA doctor within 30 days. However, the watchdog report said the program increases the risk of former service members receiving opioid prescriptions that clash with VA policies and safeguards aimed to address opioid abuse.
In a response to the watchdog report, the VA said it would adopt the inspector general’s recommendations to address the dangers of overprescribing opioids among veterans. The department also promised to share VA guidelines for prescribing opioids with private-sector providers and require them to inform them about prescribed medications.