Reducing Inappropriate Benzodiazepine Use Among Older Adults

This is a State of Michigan/Medicaid Match project proposal. These proposed projects are developed to address specific goals for Medicaid policies, procedures, and model programs for Medicaid Recipients in Michigan.

Benzodiazepine use in the United States is common and increases with age, used by 8.7% of patients aged 65-80 years. Benzodiazepines-which include well-known medications such as Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin-are most commonly used for anxiety and insomnia, even though psychotherapy and alternative medications are now recommended preferentially over benzodiazepines. Use is a particular concern among older adults, given the links between benzodiazepine prescribing and a variety of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures and motor vehicle accidents.

Attempts to reduce benzodiazepine use have met with limited success in the real world, as patients are reluctant to consider the possibility of stopping them and providers are reluctant to even suggest the possibility. In the course of a brief return visit in primary care, providers simply do not have the time or incentive to engage in a potentially difficult, lengthy discussion with patients about reducing or stopping their benzodiazepine.

The goal of this project is to evaluate direct patient education compared to direct patient education paired with additional support and encouragement from a care manager in order to reduce chronic benzodiazepine use. Strategies to help reduce benzodiazepine use are of great interest to providers and our findings would have significance for all providers, and may even conceivably improve the care of patient both inside and outside the Medicaid program.