Risk of Continued Opioid Use (COU)

Identifying Attributes

Care Settings
Primary Care
Country
United States of America
Publishing Organisation
National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA): Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS)
Type of Quality Indicator
Process
IOM Quality Dimension
Safety
Domain
Medications and Medication Management

Defining Attributes

Definition

Assesses potentially high-risk opioid analgesic prescribing practices. The percentage of members 18 years and older who have a new episode of opioid use that puts them at risk for continued opioid use. Two rates are reported: The percentage of members with at least 15 days of prescription opioids in a 30-day period. The percentage of members with at least 31 days of prescription opioids in a 62-day period.

Numerator

The number of members 18 years and older who have a new episode of opioid use that puts them at risk for continued opioid use. Two rates are reported: The number of members with at least 15 days of prescription opioids in a 30-day period. The number of members with at least 31 days of prescription opioids in a 62-day period.

Denominator

The number of members 18 years and older

Exclusions
Use of Risk Adjustment
No
Risk Adjustments

None

Stratifications

Collection and Reporting Attributes

Type of Data Collection
Administrative data, Surveys
Data Collection Methods

Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS)

Frequency of Data Collection
Data are submitted at will by approved organisations to NCQA for aggregation and annual reporting.
Frequency of Data Collection in Days
1
Reporting Methods

HEDIS measures are reported on by the NCQA in a variety of specialised annual reports, but may also be utilised and reported on by other organisations with permission from NCQA.

Reporting Frequency
Annually
Reporting Frequency in Days
365
Indicator Has Recommended Targets
No

Source and Reference Attributes

Link to Measurement Tools
Quality Indicator Confirmed to be Part of a Program Used to Monitor Quality and Safety of Care Among Older People at a Population-Level between 2012-2022
Yes
Assessed by the Australian Consortium for Aged Care Collaborators as Generally Containing Good Properties (Importance and Scientific Acceptability)
No
Australian Consortium for Aged Care Endorsed
No
Identified by PHARMA-Care Project
No
Upload Date
02 December 2025