Nearly 70% of Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with an opioid use disorder did not receive appropriate medications — such as buprenorphine, methadone or naltrexone — within 180 days of diagnosis, according to a study published Nov. 23 in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
The study reviewed Medicaid enrollees across 44 states, ranging in age from 18 to 64 years old, with an OUD diagnosis from April 2016 through December 2019. During this period, 1,172,200 Medicaid enrollees were diagnosed.
Black and Hispanic enrollees were less likely to get these medications than white enrollees.
About 60% of those who did get these medications started their treatment within one week of diagnosis. Receipt of these drugs increased annually. Those with comorbid substance use or psychiatric disorders were less likely to have access, but receipt was higher for those with a background of treated heroin or synthetic opioid overdose.
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