The COVID-19 pandemic and continued increase in overdose-related deaths have prompted a number of federal policy changes intended to increase access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). There are three types of MOUD approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release injectable naltrexone. These medications are the standard of treatment for opioid use disorder, yet they remain underused.
This session provided an overview of MOUD, as well as federal policies and other factors that affect access to these medications. Staff discussed next steps for the Commission’s work in this area, including future presentations on MOUD coverage and utilization based on an analysis of Medicaid claims data. Staff will also return to present findings from stakeholder interviews on the effects of recent policy changes and barriers to accessing MOUD.
