Opioid and CNS-Depressant Medication Prescribing among Older Adults Enrolled in Medicare Advantage Versus Fee-for-Service Medicare

A study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry examined whether prescription fills of opioids and central nervous system (CNS) depressants are lower in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans compared to fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare. The study found that Medicare Advantage enrollees had lower rates of opioid and CNS depressant prescriptions compared to those in fee-for-service Medicare, suggesting potential differences in prescribing patterns and medication management between the two systems.