The treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) among Medicaid enrollees has been a topic of significant interest and concern in recent years, particularly as the opioid epidemic continues to impact communities across the United States. In a recent study, Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) analysts sought to examine whether the treatment of OUD among Medicaid enrollees changed from 2014 to 2018.
The study, published in the Journal of Health Economics and Outcomes Research, utilized data from the Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) to analyze patterns of OUD treatment among Medicaid enrollees. The researchers focused on the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which is considered the gold standard for OUD treatment, as well as the use of other forms of treatment such as detoxification and counseling services.
The findings of the study revealed several important insights into the treatment of OUD among Medicaid enrollees. First, the use of MAT for OUD increased significantly from 2014 to 2018. In 2014, approximately 42% of Medicaid enrollees with OUD received MAT, while by 2018, this number had increased to 58%. This represents a substantial improvement in access to evidence-based treatment for OUD among Medicaid enrollees.
Furthermore, the study also found that the use of other forms of treatment for OUD, such as detoxification and counseling services, decreased over the same time period. In 2014, 38% of Medicaid enrollees with OUD received detoxification services, compared to only 32% in 2018. Similarly, the use of counseling services for OUD decreased from 31% in 2014 to 25% in 2018.
These findings have important implications for the treatment of OUD among Medicaid enrollees. The increased use of MAT suggests that efforts to expand access to evidence-based treatment for OUD have been successful in recent years. However, the decrease in the use of other forms of treatment, such as detoxification and counseling services, raises questions about whether Medicaid enrollees are receiving comprehensive care for OUD.
One possible explanation for the shift in treatment patterns is the increasing recognition of MAT as the most effective form of treatment for OUD. As awareness of the benefits of MAT has grown, it is possible that providers and patients are increasingly opting for this form of treatment over others. However, it is also important to consider whether the decrease in other forms of treatment reflects a lack of access to or utilization of these services, which could potentially impact the quality of care received by Medicaid enrollees with OUD.
Ultimately, the findings of the study underscore the need for ongoing efforts to ensure that Medicaid enrollees with OUD have access to comprehensive, evidence-based treatment. This may include strategies to increase awareness of the benefits of MAT, as well as efforts to address barriers to accessing other forms of treatment, such as detoxification and counseling services.
Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the changing landscape of OUD treatment among Medicaid enrollees and highlights the continued importance of addressing this critical public health issue. By understanding the evolving patterns of OUD treatment, policymakers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders can work towards ensuring that Medicaid enrollees with OUD receive the high-quality, comprehensive care they need to address this complex and challenging condition.