7 in 10 Medicaid patients with OUD untreated within 6 months
Nearly 70% of Medicaid patients with opioid use disorder don't receive treatment within six months, study finds.
Why it matters
- Highlights a major gap in healthcare provision for opioid use disorder.
- Underscores the importance of medication-based treatment in reducing overdose risks.
By the numbers
- 1,172,200 participants in the study.
- 69% did not receive medication within 180 days.
- Methadone reduces overdose risk by 86%.
The big picture
- Medicaid funding cuts could further limit access to these medications.
- Policy changes are needed to improve access to treatment.
What they're saying
- Some users suggest that not all patients may be interested in starting treatment immediately.
- The study authors call for reforms to reduce barriers to access, such as expanding take-home doses of methadone.
Caveats
- The study does not address whether treatment was offered to all patients.
- Disparities exist in treatment access based on race and ethnicity.
What’s next
- Policymakers may consider reforms to improve access to medication-based treatment.
- Further research could explore reasons behind the low treatment rates and disparities.