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With the opioid crisis still raging across the country researchers have found that some states are quickly losing ground but others have improved in treatment options. But a recent study has revealed the critical role that Medicaid benefits play in accessing life-saving opioid addiction medications.
A Widening Treatment Gap
According to the recent Rutgers Health study progress in treatments using medication has decreased in recent years. Although these medications save lives and ease the sometimes terrible discomfort of withdrawal, some of the people who need it most simply can’t afford it.
One of the crucial ingredients for treatment access is Medicaid. The report mentioned the expansion of Medicaid in 2018 led to an increase in prescriptions used to treat opioid abuse. Those states that haven’t noted reductions in treatments after 2022.
The research went on to show that Medicaid funding and policies played crucial roles in treatment rates by population. The data came from insurance claims submitted to Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance across states between 2018 and 2024. During this time the country saw increased fatal overdose rates, despite national policy changes aimed at improving care.
Medicaid’s Role in Saving Lives
Even though effective treatment was available challenges in accessing care have been significant and pervasive.
Over 80,000 people died in 2024 from opioid overdoses. Because of financial barriers and policy confusion people weren’t always able to get the medications they needed to recover.
Persons who have low incomes and are uninsured or underinsured may be unaware of the state and federal programs they qualify for, including Medicaid. Those who need addiction treatment may also not realize that they may be able to access the addiction treatment they need through Medicaid. This includes access to critical medications such as buprenorphine.
Raising Awareness and Expanding Coverage
For many the challenge thus far in accessing treatment is that Medicaid policies are different depending on the state. One helpful initiative has been the removal of prior authorization requirements and increased reimbursement plans in states like New Jersey.
For instance states expanding Medicaid eligibility criteria noticed a 27.3% increase in prescribing rates for buprenorphine. But the states that didn’t expand saw a prescribing decline after 2022.
The study appears to illustrate two important findings. One is that progress is possible, and the other is that Medicaid funding is critical for medication access, overdose prevention and sustained recovery from opioid dependency.
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