title: An alternative method for the identification of potential habitual narcotic users from a managed care claims database.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify an alternative method of initial narcotic abuse screening to distinguish members who have a greater likelihood of being correctly classified as potential narcotic abusers. Members 10 years of age and older, who had one or more pharmacy claims for narcotics within a quarter were included in the analysis. Members were classified according to the number of narcotic prescriptions, unique pharmacies, and unique physicians in a quarter. Those with excluded medical conditions and abuse-related diagnoses were identified. A narcotic abuse decision tree was developed to identify population(s) with the highest likelihood for a potential abuse history. Using a combination of variables, especially age, strengthened the likelihood of identifying potential narcotic abusers.
authors.affiliation: Diversified Pharmaceutical Services, Minneapolis, USA.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Chitwood-Dagner
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Skatter
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003663:Decision Trees; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States