Few with opioid use disorder are given medication therapy

August 5, 2024

Source:Dowell, et al, MMWR, June 27, 2024 LINK

Although deaths from drug overdoses declined slightly in 2023, few people with opioid use disorder are treated with effective medications to treat their addiction. Treatment with buprenorphine (such as Suboxone) or methadone decreases the urge to use illicit drugs and decreases the likelihood of death by as much as 59%.

Nonetheless, only a quarter of those who would benefit from such treatment received Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Those who are seen in an emergency department after treatment with naloxone for a narcotic overdose are at especially high risk of death if they are not treated medically.

The graph above is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), published in MMWR, also known as the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The CDC data also shows that Black and Hispanic people, who face larger risks of death from overdose, were less likely to receive MAT.

In a separate study, researchers reviewed data from Massachusetts from 2021-2023 on 8,679 individuals who were treated for serious injection related infections from illegal drugs. Less than half (49%) received MAT within 12 months. Another study from Massachusetts showed that 28% of those on commercial health insurance in 2014 who were newly diagnosed with opioid use disorder had changed insurance within the year after diagnosis. Insurance instability can lead to disruptions in medication assisted therapy.

Implications for employers:

-        There is a large opportunity to improve the lives of those with opioid use disorder by making medication assisted therapy (MAT) available.

-        Employers can be sure that their network of providers to treat OUD is adequate, and that members can receive care promptly.  Many carriers and vendors have added  virtual substance use disorder treatment providers to their network to support this need.Virtual prescribing of suboxone is under review and may sunset as of December 31, 2024, which could decrease access to MAT.  It is important for employers to be aware of legislation and regulations that may impact their employees’ access to care.

-        Opioid use disorder is common in the commercially insured population. Making naloxone (Narcan) available in the workplace can save lives and local emergency personnel can provide training to employers if desired

-        Shatterproof.org is a non-profit dedicated to ending the devastation of the opioid use epidemic.  The website is free and provides search options for substance use disorder treatment and can be promoted by employers.

Thanks for reading.  You can find previous posts in the Employer Coverage archive

Please subscribe, “like” and suggest this newsletter to friends and colleagues. Thanks!

Wednesday: Artificial intelligence does a good job answering patient questions