An Analysis of Polypharmacy Deprescribing Program for Anticholinergics and Concurrent Opioid and Benzodiazepine Usage for Medicare Beneficiaries

Programs that identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary medication use can play an important role in improving safety for older adults, particularly when anticholinergics, opioids and benzodiazepines are used together. As the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) places greater emphasis on medication safety through its Star Ratings measures, proactive deprescribing strategies can help identify members at risk and support earlier intervention. Targeted outreach highlights opportunities to reduce high-risk medication use while supporting patient safety and CMS Star Ratings performance. For a deeper look, read our blog post: How a Clinical Mailer Helped Cut Dangerous Drug Combinations Ahead of New CMS Star Ratings Measures.