Studies from University of South Carolina Describe New Findings in Opioids (Coverage and Prior Authorization Policies for Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Medicaid Managed Care): Opioids

2022 NOV 18 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Data detailed on opioids have been presented. According to news reporting originating from the University of South Carolina by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “Importance: Medicaid is a key policy lever to improve opioid use disorder treatment, covering approximately 40% of Americans with opioid use disorder. Although approximately 70% of Medicaid beneficiaries are enrolled in comprehensive managed care organization (MCO) plans, little is known about coverage and prior authorization (PA) policies for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in these plans.”

The news reporters obtained a quote from the research from University of South Carolina: “To compare coverage and PA policies for buprenorphine, methadone, and injectable naltrexone across Medicaid MCO plans and fee-for-service (FFS) programs and across states. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study analyzed MOUD data from 266 Medicaid MCO plans and FFS programs in 38 states and the District of Columbia in 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures: For each medication, the percentages of MCO plans and FFS programs that covered the medication without PA, covered the medication with PA, and did not cover the medication were calculated, as were the percentages of MCO, FFS, and all (MCO and FFS) beneficiaries who were covered with no PA, covered with PA, and not covered. In addition, MCO plan coverage and PA policies were mapped by state. Analyses were conducted from January 1 through May 31, 2022. Coverage and PA policies were compared for MOUD in 266 MCO plans and 39 FFS programs, representing approximately 70 million Medicaid beneficiaries. Overall, FFS programs had more generous MOUD coverage than MCO plans. However, a higher percentage of FFS programs imposed PA for the 3 medications (47.0%) than did MCOs (35.9%). Furthermore, although most Medicaid beneficiaries were enrolled in a plan that covered MOUD, 53.2% of all MCO- and FFS-enrolled beneficiaries were subject to PA. Results also showed wide state variation in MCO plan coverage and PA policies for MOUD and the percentage of Medicaid beneficiaries subject to PA.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study found variation in MOUD coverage and PA policies across Medicaid MCO plans and FFS programs and across states. Thus, Medicaid beneficiaries’ access to MOUD may be heavily influenced by their state of residency and the Medicaid plan in which they are enrolled. Left unaddressed, PA policies are likely to remain a barrier to MOUD access in the nation’s Medicaid programs.”

For more information on this research see: Coverage and Prior Authorization Policies for Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Medicaid Managed Care. JAMA Health Forum, 2022,3(11). The publisher for JAMA Health Forum is American Medical Association (AMA).

A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.4001.

Our news journalists report that more information may be obtained by contacting Christina M. Andrews, Arnold School of Public Health, Health Services Policy and Management Department, University of South Carolina, Columbia. Additional authors for this research include Amanda J. Abraham, Samantha J. Harris, Melissa M. Westlake, Colleen M. Grogan.

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