MMA Looking for Physicians to Serve on Opioid Prescribing Improvement Program Sunset Panel

August 31, 2023

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Opioid Prescribing Improvement Program (OPIP) has asked the MMA to join its scheduled conversations with provider and patient communities regarding the sunset of the Opioid Prescribing Improvement Program (OPIP), as directed by the 2023 Human Services bill.  

DHS, which is seeking input from stakeholders impacted by its OPIP, is required to develop and recommend a set of criteria to the Legislature for sunsetting the program. The proposed methodology will use data-drive indicators that demonstrate the program has accomplished its original, statutorily defined goals:  

• Reduce inappropriate or excessive opioid prescribing for acute and post-acute pain  

• Reduce inappropriate variation in opioid prescribing for acute and post-acute pain  

• Support patients who remain on chronic opioid analgesic therapy through patient-centered, multimodal treatment approaches, improved monitoring of safety and harm reduction strategies.  

Stakeholders will meet between September and November to accomplish three primary objectives: 1) Evaluate various data sets and indicators relevant to opioid prescribing trends and patient safety, 2) Engage in discussion with DHS staff and other panel members around criteria options, and 3) Recommend a final set of data-driven indicators (criteria) to the Commissioner of DHS  

The panel will include representation from the following stakeholder groups:  

• The MMA  

• The Minnesota Society of Interventional Pain Physicians  

• Clinician(s) that practice pain management  

• Clinician(s) that practice addiction medicine or mental health  

• Current or former Minnesota health care program enrollee(s) who use or have used opioid therapy to manage chronic pain  

DHS will host two virtual meetings, with an option for the third, for the purpose of finalizing sunset criteria. Meeting dates include:  

• Thursday, September 14, 12:15 – 1:30 p.m.  

• Tuesday, October 17, 12:15 – 1:30 p.m.  

• Thursday, November 16, 12:00 -1:15 p.m. (optional meeting if needed)  

Physicians interested in being considered to serve as the MMA representative(s) for this conversation should contact Juliana Milhofer, JD, MMA public health and policy engagement manager.