Misguided medical insurance and government policies in the opioid epidemic: A chart review and NARX score analysis

Background Despite the investment of significant effort and resources, our country remains exposed to an alarming risk of opioid overdoses due to opioid addiction. Objective This study demonstrates the impact of misguided medical insurance and government policies on the opioid epidemic. Methods This is a retrospective chart review study of 142 patients who were denied access to care by insurance companies (CareSource, Molina, Aetna, government regulators, and contractors). The study provides a systematic analysis of the risk stratification of these patients based on the NARX score, prescribed medications, and OARRS report analysis. Results Patients who were denied access to care by the major insurance carriers in Ohio, CareSource, Aetna, and Molina had an average high NARX score of 309.8–310.5 range. The review of the prescribing provider lists on Ohio Automated RX Reporting System reports showed that, in most occasions, patients had significant difficulty in finding a qualified pain provider for 3 months or more. Conclusion Review of denied-care patient NARX scores shows, conclusively, that very high-risk patients were affected the most. These misguided medical insurance and government policies have exposed the most vulnerable and high-risk patients to significant risk of mortality and morbidity.