Burns, R. M., Pacula, R. L., Bauhoff, S., Gordon, A. J., Hendrikson, H., Leslie, D. L., & Stein, D. (2016). Policies related to opioid agonist therapy for opioid use disorders: The evolution of state policies from 2004 to 2013. Substance abuse, 37(1), 63–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2015.1080208

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26566761/ 

This article highlights the evolution of state policies facilitating or hindering access to opioid agonists among Medicaid enrollees. The authors found that there appears to be a trend for states to enact policies increasing Medicaid coverage of opioid agonist therapies, while in recent years also enacting policies, such as prior authorization requirements, that potentially serve as barriers to opioid agonist therapy utilization. This is a useful resource for policymakers and lawyers interested in learning more about the shifting policies surrounding MOUD treatment access. 

Bottom Line: This article explains how many states have increased access to MOUD treatment for individuals with Medicaid, while also creating policies that form barriers to treatment.