Summary

As of 2023, 24 states have binding legislation that requires providers that treat pain patients to perform at least one urine drug test prior to initiating long-term opioid therapy. This health care Fast Fact reviews claims data from 2013–2021 that found these laws were successful at increasing rates of urine drug testing among chronic patients undergoing opioid therapy and that these policies were most effective for enrollees most affected by chronic pain and in need of long-term opioid therapy.