Benzodiazepine Prescribing in Idaho
Medicare Part D, 2013–2024.
Benzodiazepine prescribing in Idaho fell 4.5% between 2013 and 2024 — a slower fall than the country as a whole. In 2024 the state recorded 142,308 Medicare Part D benzodiazepine claims across 34,846 patients, an average of 4.08 fills per patient per year, which ranks 43 of 51 states. Lorazepam accounts for 28.7% of it.
Idaho over twelve years
Which benzodiazepines Idaho prescribes
| Drug | Claims 2024 | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lorazepam | 40,861 | 28.7% |
| Alprazolam | 39,701 | 27.9% |
| Clonazepam | 36,524 | 25.7% |
| Diazepam | 16,038 | 11.3% |
| Temazepam | 7,015 | 4.9% |
Psychiatric prescribers in Idaho
45 psychiatric prescribers in Idaho appear in the 2024 Medicare Part D data with benzodiazepine claims. 3 of them recorded at least a 50% fall in benzodiazepine claims since 2019. Sorted by change, largest reduction first.
This is a record, not a recommendation. A fall in Medicare benzodiazepine claims has many possible explanations — a changing patient panel, retirement, a shift to another payer, or simply dropping below the threshold CMS publishes. It does not establish that a prescriber supports tapering, and a low number does not mean they will take you as a patient. Use it as one input, then ask the five vetting questions.
| Prescriber | City | 2019 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen ByrdPsychiatry | Boise | 172 | 23 | -86.6% |
| Lawrence BantaPsychiatry | Caldwell | 1,387 | 247 | -82.2% |
| Abhilash DesaiPsychiatry & Neurology | Boise | 37 | 17 | -54.1% |
| Richard WorstPsychiatry | Twin Falls | 294 | 149 | -49.3% |
| Kristina HarringtonPsychiatry | Boise | 95 | 49 | -48.4% |
| Ronald ZohnerPsychiatry | Idaho Falls | 232 | 135 | -41.8% |
| Deric RavstenPsychiatry | Pocatello | 423 | 266 | -37.1% |
| Frank GermanoGeriatric Psychiatry | Boise | 49 | 31 | -36.7% |
| Richard NewPsychiatry & Neurology | Ammon | 197 | 130 | -34% |
| Kelly PalmerPsychiatry | Blackfoot | 76 | 51 | -32.9% |
| L. Mark KimseyPsychiatry | Caldwell | 522 | 358 | -31.4% |
| Michael CoatsNeuropsychiatry | Post Falls | 94 | 75 | -20.2% |
| Laura Musteti-OpreaPsychiatry | Twin Falls | 413 | 332 | -19.6% |
| Scott HoopesPsychiatry & Neurology | Meridian | 388 | 323 | -16.8% |
| Eric GilbreathPsychiatry | Boise | 30 | 25 | -16.7% |
| Albert CrookPsychiatry & Neurology | Coeur D'Alene | 33 | 28 | -15.2% |
| Nicole ThurstonPsychiatry | Boise | 50 | 50 | 0% |
| Manuel SierraPsychiatry | Idaho Falls | 47 | 51 | +8.5% |
| Olurotimi AshayePsychiatry | Meridian | 627 | 769 | +22.6% |
| Eric SimmonsPsychiatry | Boise | 149 | 195 | +30.9% |
| Craig DennyPsychiatry | Idaho Falls | 436 | 571 | +31% |
| Amy EdwardsPsychiatry | Boise | 12 | 16 | +33.3% |
| Zachary MorairtyPsychiatry | Twin Falls | 435 | 585 | +34.5% |
| Grant BelnapPsychiatry | Eagle | 352 | 525 | +49.1% |
| Crystal LarsonPsychiatry | Boise | 78 | 152 | +94.9% |
| Richard PinesPsychiatry | Boise | 33 | 74 | +124.2% |
| Mark MurphyPsychiatry | Twin Falls | 134 | 304 | +126.9% |
| Steven AyersPsychiatry | Eagle | 20 | 55 | +175% |
| John BatesPsychiatry | Boise | 74 | 257 | +247.3% |
| Timothy StoddardPsychiatry | Hailey | 38 | 132 | +247.4% |
| Heather CumboPsychiatry | Lewiston | 17 | 70 | +311.8% |
| Thomas OrthmeyerPsychiatry | Boise | — | 313 | — |
| Colt KenningtonPsychiatry | Caldwell | — | 75 | — |
| Amanda WilliamsPsychiatry | Boise | — | 70 | — |
| Christopher DoxeyPsychiatry & Neurology | Hailey | — | 59 | — |
| Jeralyn JonesPsychiatry | Boise | — | 48 | — |
| David KentPsychiatry | Meridian | — | 31 | — |
| Lori Bennett-PennPsychiatry | Mccall | — | 30 | — |
| Norman LitchfieldPsychiatry | Mccall | — | 24 | — |
| Reena CamoensPsychiatry | Twin Falls | — | 22 | — |
| Melanie DrakePsychiatry | Boise | — | 16 | — |
| Brian HopkinsAddiction Medicine | Boise | — | 16 | — |
| Heiko De RiesePsychiatry | Boise | — | 12 | — |
| Merrill VelezPsychiatry | Boise | — | 12 | — |
| Matthew LarsenPsychiatry | Idaho Falls | 13 | 149 | +1046.2% |
Figures are reproduced from the CMS public use files without alteration. Clinicians who believe a row misstates their record can write to support@taperoffbenzos.com and we will check it against the source file and correct or remove it.
Finding a prescriber in Idaho
This data describes prescribing patterns; it does not tell you who will support a slow taper. For that, our guide to finding a benzo-wise prescriber compares every free provider directory that exists and lists the five questions that predict how a taper will go. If you already have a prescriber, the taper calculator generates a schedule to review with them.
Frequently asked questions
Is benzodiazepine prescribing rising or falling in Idaho?
It fell 4.5% between 2013 and 2024 in Medicare Part D — a slower fall than the country as a whole, where prescribing fell 12.9%. In 2024, Idaho recorded 142,308 benzodiazepine claims across 34,846 patients.
How does Idaho compare to other states?
Idaho ranks 43 of 51 for prescribing intensity, at 4.08 benzodiazepine fills per patient per year, and 40 of 51 for the size of its decline since 2013 (1 being the steepest fall).
Which benzodiazepine is prescribed most in Idaho?
Lorazepam, at 40,861 claims — 28.7% of the state's benzodiazepine prescribing in 2024. Next are Alprazolam (27.9%) and Clonazepam (25.7%).
Source
CMS Medicare Part D Prescribers public use files, data years 2013–2024 (US Government work, public domain). Medicare Part D only — it excludes commercial insurance and cash-pay, skews toward patients 65 and over, and suppresses cells of 10 or fewer claims. Full methodology and limitations are on the national page.