Chronic pain is a complex problem that can have effects on our physical and mental well-being and affects one in three adults in the United States. Chronic Opioid Therapy (COT) is one tool that healthcare providers help patients manage their pain and refers to the daily use of opioids such as morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, etc. for managing chronic pain that lasts more than 3 months. It is typically used for conditions such as chronic back or neck pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, or cancer-related pain. These medications should always be initiated, monitored, and discontinued by a qualified healthcare professional due to the potential for addiction, dependence, and other adverse side effects associated with opioid use.

Chronic opioid therapy has the potential to provide significant benefits for patients who experience chronic pain. Studies have shown that reduced pain related to opioid medications may improve a person’s quality of life, improve mood and emotional well-being, and enable patients to engage in daily activities such as going to work or participating in social gatherings. However, it is important to note that the benefits of chronic opioid therapy must be weighed against the potential risks and side effects. Only you and your healthcare provider are able to make this determination.

As with all medications if not taken as prescribed, there are several potential risks associated with chronic opioid therapy. Some of these risks include opioid dependence, addiction, or tolerance and respiratory depression. Additionally, some people experience adverse side effects as a result of long-term opioid use. Constipation, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, drowsiness, confusion, and sedation are all potential side-effects that should be discussed with your healthcare provider if they occur.

We want to ensure that you have continued access to medications and treatments that you rely on for your quality of life. This program will meet the requirements and recommendations for the use of pain medication that were created by your state’s medical board and the Centers for DIsease Control and Prevention (CDC). Studies have shown that education delivered in conjunction with pain management treatment can be effective in reducing pain intensity and related disability in chronic pain in adults. The OPOS Pain Program delivers an educational curriculum designed to meet the specific needs of chronic pain patients and discusses topics such as the evidence for opioids, risks and benefits of opioid medications, the relationship between pain, opioids, and sleep, treatment alternatives, and the opioid epidemic, just to name a few. Our team of pain specialists partner with your primary care or pain management healthcare professionals to provide these patient-centered educational sessions tailored to meet your needs.

Once you are enrolled in the pain program, your healthcare provider will ask you to schedule educational shared medical appointments (SMAs). These appointments use telemedicine for your conveniences and can be accessed from the comfort of your own home using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. You can also download our OPOS Foresight™ app that provides fast, easy access to educational materials, access to live telemedicine educational sessions, and uses surveys to gather information that will assist your prescriber in personalizing your pain care.

OPOS shared medical appointments are billed through your prescriber’s office, just like a regular office visit and are covered under most insurance plans, including Medicare. You will need to speak with your healthcare provider and your insurance carrier to ensure these shared medical appointments are a covered benefit.

Your current medication prescriber will continue to provide your pain care. The role of OPOS is to ensure you enjoy monthly educational topics designed to enhance your current pain management regimen.

To provide the best experience in the pain program, we are using an app, OPOS Foresignt, for iOS and Android smart devices. The OPOS Foresight Mobile App provides easy access to all of your pain appointments and 1-click connections to your telemedicine appointments. In addition, all of the health questionnaires and educational materials are accessible using the app. Our team will help you get this installed on your device.

We would be happy to reach out to your healthcare provider to see if they would be interested in learning more about our program.
Simply contact us at 650-694-9500 with your provider’s name and phone number and we will contact them with your interest. Or let your healthcare professional know that you are interested and ask them to check out this website form.