Medications For Opioid Use Disorder Increased Among Louisiana Medicaid Enrollees During Policy Reforms, 2018-21.
Health Aff (Millwood)
; 43(1): 46-54, 2024 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38190602
ABSTRACT
Increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is a key strategy in addressing the opioid crisis. To increase MOUD access, state governments have pursued a combination of increased funding for MOUD and requirements that providers offer treatment. Louisiana has pursued multiple strategies, including a requirement that residential treatment programs offer MOUD as part of their licensure. Using Louisiana Medicaid claims data for enrollees with diagnosed OUD from the period 2018-21, we analyzed trends in MOUD between enrollees treated in residential and nonresidential settings and across demographic subgroups, and we compared trends by MOUD type. MOUD use more than tripled from 2018 to 2021 among Louisiana Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with OUD. Most of the increase in MOUD was attributable to buprenorphine use. Methadone uptake also contributed to greater MOUD use but was almost exclusively used by enrollees treated in nonresidential settings, whereas naltrexone was consistently more common in residential treatment. By 2021, differences persisted across demographic groups MOUD use was highest among enrollees who were White, were older, had comorbidities, and lived in a metropolitan area. Policies that promote MOUD in substance use treatment programs, particularly residential programs, are critical tools for policy makers confronting a complex and unprecedented national overdose crisis.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Medicaid
/
Opioid-Related Disorders
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Health Aff (Millwood)
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Country of publication: