Trends in Buprenorphine to Treat Opioid Use Disorder in California, 2012 to 2018: Medicaid Outpaces the Rest of the State.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Opioid use disorder remains undertreated in the United States. One of the primary mechanisms for expanding access to treatment has been the use of buprenorphine. In this study, we compare prescribing trends of buprenorphine paid through Medicaid versus other payer sources.

Methods

Combined data from California's prescription drug monitoring program and California's Department of Health Care Services was used to obtain statewide quarterly prescription rates for buprenorphine, indicated for the treatment of opioid use disorder, from 2012 to 2018.

Results

From 2012 to 2018, the rate of individuals treated with buprenorphine in Medicaid increased by 657% (1.39-10.5 Medicaid beneficiaries per 10,000) with increases beginning in 2014 and continuing through 2018.

SUBMITTER: Tseregounis IE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9267415 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep-Oct 01

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature