Dataset Information

Outpatient follow-up and use of medications for opioid use disorder after residential treatment among Medicaid enrollees in 10 states.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Follow-up after residential treatment is considered best practice in supporting patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in their recovery. Yet, little is known about rates of follow-up after discharge. The objective of this analysis was to measure rates of follow-up and use of medications for OUD (MOUD) after residential treatment among Medicaid enrollees in 10 states, and to understand the enrollee and episode characteristics that are associated with both outcomes.

Methods

Using a distributed research network to analyze Medicaid claims data, we estimated the likelihood of 4 outcomes occurring within 7 and 30 days post-discharge from residential treatment for OUD using multinomial logit regression: no follow-up or MOUD, follow-up visit only, MOUD only, or both follow-up and MOUD. We used meta-analysis techniques to pool state-specific estimates into global estimates.

Results

We identified 90,639 episodes of residential treatment for OUD for 69,017 enrollees from 2018 to 2019. We found that 62.5% and 46.9% of episodes did not receive any follow-up or MOUD at 7 days and 30 days, respectively. In adjusted analyses, co-occurring mental health conditions, longer lengths of stay, prior receipt of MOUD or behavioral health counseling, and a recent ED visit for OUD were associated with a greater likelihood of receiving follow-up treatment including MOUD after discharge.

Conclusions

Forty-seven percent of residential treatment episodes for Medicaid enrollees are not followed by an outpatient visit or MOUD, and thus are not following best practices.

SUBMITTER: Medicaid Outcomes Distributed Research Network (MODRN)

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10756712 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Outpatient follow-up and use of medications for opioid use disorder after residential treatment among Medicaid enrollees in 10 states.

Cole Evan S ES Allen Lindsay L Austin Anna A Barnes Andrew A Chang Chung-Chou H CH Clark Sarah S Crane Dushka D Cunningham Peter P Fry Carrie E CE Gordon Adam J AJ Hammerslag Lindsey L Idala David D Kennedy Susan S Kim Joo Yeon JY Krishnan Sunita S Lanier Paul P Mahakalanda Shyama S Mauk Rachel R McDuffie Mary Joan MJ Mohamoud Shamis S Talbert Jeff J Tang Lu L Zivin Kara K Donohue Julie M JM

Drug and alcohol dependence 20221021

<h4>Background</h4>Follow-up after residential treatment is considered best practice in supporting patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in their recovery. Yet, little is known about rates of follow-up after discharge. The objective of this analysis was to measure rates of follow-up and use of medications for OUD (MOUD) after residential treatment among Medicaid enrollees in 10 states, and to understand the enrollee and episode characteristics that are associated with both outcomes.<h4>Methods ...[more]

PMID: 36332591

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Project description:ImportanceThere is limited information about trends in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) among Medicaid enrollees.ObjectiveTo examine the use of medications for OUD and potential indicators of quality of care in multiple states.Design, setting, and participantsExploratory serial cross-sectional study of 1 024 301 Medicaid enrollees in 11 states aged 12 through 64 years (not eligible for Medicare) with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9 or ICD-10) codes for OUD from 2014 through 2018. Each state used generalized estimating equations to estimate associations between enrollee characteristics and outcome measure prevalence, subsequently pooled to generate global estimates using random effects meta-analyses.ExposuresCalendar year, demographic characteristics, eligibility groups, and comorbidities.Main outcomes and measuresUse of medications for OUD (buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone); potential indicators of good quality (OUD medication continuity for 180 days, behavioral health counseling, urine drug tests); potential indicators of poor quality (prescribing of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines).ResultsIn 2018, 41.7% of Medicaid enrollees with OUD were aged 21 through 34 years, 51.2% were female, 76.1% were non-Hispanic White, 50.7% were eligible through Medicaid expansion, and 50.6% had other substance use disorders. Prevalence of OUD increased in these 11 states from 3.3% (290 628 of 8 737 082) in 2014 to 5.0% (527 983 of 10 585 790) in 2018. The pooled prevalence of enrollees with OUD receiving medication treatment increased from 47.8% in 2014 (range across states, 35.3% to 74.5%) to 57.1% in 2018 (range, 45.7% to 71.7%). The overall prevalence of enrollees receiving 180 days of continuous medications for OUD did not significantly change from the 2014-2015 to 2017-2018 periods (-0.01 prevalence difference, 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.02) with state variability in trend (90% prediction interval, -0.08 to 0.06). Non-Hispanic Black enrollees had lower OUD medication use than White enrollees (prevalence ratio [PR], 0.72; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.81; P < .001; 90% prediction interval, 0.52 to 1.00). Pregnant women had higher use of OUD medications (PR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.11-1.25; P < .001; 90% prediction interval, 1.01-1.38) and medication continuity (PR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.17, P < .001; 90% prediction interval, 1.06-1.22) than did other eligibility groups.Conclusions and relevanceAmong US Medicaid enrollees in 11 states, the prevalence of medication use for treatment of opioid use disorder increased from 2014 through 2018. The pattern in other states requires further research.

Project description:AimThis report examined naturalistic opioid use outcomes and utilization of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) 36 weeks post-randomization in the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) Extended-Release Naltrexone (XR-NTX) versus Buprenorphine-Naloxone (BUP-NX) for Opioid Treatment trial (CTN-0051, X:BOT).DesignX:BOT was a multisite, randomized, 24-week comparative effectiveness trial of BUP-NX (N = 287) and XR-NTX (N = 283). Study medications were discontinued following treatment completion, relapse, or dropout. Participants were encouraged to continue MOUD. This report examined opioid use outcomes in 428 (75%) of the 570 participants who attended the 36-week follow-up visit.Setting and participantsAdults with opioid use disorder recruited from 8 community treatment programs across the United States.MeasurementsOutcomes included medication status (on/off MOUD), type of MOUD (BUP-NX, XR-NTX, or methadone), abstinence from non-prescribed opioids, opioid use days, relapse, and other substance use 30 days prior to the 36-week visit. Relapse was defined as opioid use for 4 consecutive weeks or 7 consecutive days in the past month. Baseline and clinical variables included opioid use severity, intravenous drug use, study medication assignment, and induction status.FindingsOf the 428 participants who completed the 36-week visit, 225 (53%) of participants were receiving MOUD and 203 (47%) were not. Compared to those off medication, participants on medication had fewer opioid use days (4.4 days (SD 9.0) versus 9.8 days (SD 12.1)), fewer met relapse criteria (37 (16.4%) versus 79 (38.9%)), and reported less stimulant use (34 (15.2%) versus 56 (27.7%)) and sedative use (14 (6.3%) versus 31 (15.3%)). There was no difference in abstinence rates between those on or off MOUD. A greater proportion of participants on XR-NTX (47 (53.4%) of 88 participants) were abstinent from non-prescribed opioids compared to those on buprenorphine (28 (23.3%) of 120 participants).ConclusionsNaturalistic outcomes data showed that despite potential barriers to continuing treatment in the community, about half of individuals were on opioid use disorder pharmacotherapy at follow-up and those on medication generally had better outcomes. Future research should explore barriers and facilitators to treatment retention in community settings; and developing interventions tailored to improve treatment engagement and adherence.

Project description:ImportanceEarly COVID-19 mitigation strategies placed an additional burden on individuals seeking care for opioid use disorder (OUD). Telemedicine provided a way to initiate and maintain transmucosal buprenorphine treatment of OUD.ObjectiveTo examine associations between transmucosal buprenorphine OUD treatment modality (telemedicine vs traditional) during the COVID-19 public health emergency and the health outcomes of treatment retention and opioid-related nonfatal overdose.Design, setting, and participantsThis retrospective cohort study was conducted using Medicaid claims and enrollment data from November 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, for individuals aged 18 to 64 years from Kentucky and Ohio. Data were collected and analyzed in June 2022, with data updated during revision in August 2023.ExposuresThe primary exposure of interest was the modality of the transmucosal buprenorphine OUD treatment initiation. Relevant patient demographic and comorbidity characteristics were included in regression models.Main outcomes and measuresThere were 2 main outcomes of interest: retention in treatment after initiation and opioid-related nonfatal overdose after initiation. For outcomes measured after initiation, a 90-day follow-up period was used. The main analysis used a new-user study design; transmucosal buprenorphine OUD treatment initiation was defined as initiation after more than a 60-day gap in buprenorphine treatment. In addition, uptake of telemedicine for buprenorphine was examined, overall and within patients initiating treatment, across quarters in 2020.ResultsThis study included 41 266 individuals in Kentucky (21 269 women [51.5%]; mean [SD] age, 37.9 [9.0] years) and 50 648 individuals in Ohio (26 425 women [52.2%]; mean [SD] age, 37.1 [9.3] years) who received buprenorphine in 2020, with 18 250 and 24 741 people initiating buprenorphine in Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. Telemedicine buprenorphine initiations increased sharply at the beginning of 2020. Compared with nontelemedicine initiation, telemedicine initiation was associated with better odds of 90-day retention with buprenorphine in both states (Kentucky: adjusted odds ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.01-1.27]; Ohio: adjusted odds ratio, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.06-1.32]) in a regression analysis adjusting for patient demographic and comorbidity characteristics. Telemedicine initiation was not associated with opioid-related nonfatal overdose (Kentucky: adjusted odds ratio, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.56-1.40]; Ohio: adjusted odds ratio, 1.08 [95% CI, 0.83-1.41]).Conclusions and relevanceIn this cohort study of Medicaid enrollees receiving buprenorphine for OUD, telemedicine buprenorphine initiation was associated with retention in treatment early during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings add to the literature demonstrating positive outcomes associated with the use of telemedicine for treatment of OUD.

Project description:ObjectiveTo determine how the rise of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Medicaid enrollees' access to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment.Data sources and study settingElectronic health records from Northwestern Medicine, a large midwestern academic health system, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.Study designThe exposure was the expansion of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. A difference-in-differences design was used to determine the impact of telehealth on the probability of receiving any OUD care, any in-person OUD care, and any telehealth OUD care in a month.Data collection/extraction methodsThe study included Medicaid and privately insured patients older than 18 years of age, diagnosed with OUD, who had any encounter with the Northwestern Medicine system. All outpatient visits with OUD as the primary diagnosis were included in the analysis. There were 486 individuals in the sample and 17,496 person-month observations.Principal findingsAfter the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid enrollees are 4.5 percentage points (percentage change, 43.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.7 to 0.3 percentage points; p = 0.035) less likely to receive any OUD care in a month, relative to privately insured patients. While no statistically significant differences in the likehood of receiving in-person OUD care were detected between the groups after exposure, we did observe that Medicaid enrollees are 3.6 percentage points (percentage change 64.2%; 95% CI 6.0 to 1.1 percentage points; p = 0.004) less likely to receive any telehealth OUD care in a month relative to privately insured patients.ConclusionsWhile those with private insurance were able to maintain OUD treatment during the pandemic by supplementing in-person care with telehealth, Medicaid enrollees experienced a drop in overall OUD treatment rates due to lower telehealth use. The rise of telehealth for OUD treatment might contribute to widening care gaps for Medicaid enrollees.

Dataset Information

Outpatient follow-up and use of medications for opioid use disorder after residential treatment among Medicaid enrollees in 10 states.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Outpatient follow-up and use of medications for opioid use disorder after residential treatment among Medicaid enrollees in 10 states.

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