Medication-Assisted Treatment and Opioid Use Before and After Overdose in Pennsylvania Medicaid

Summary/Excerpts

This study analyzes the prescribing of opioids and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to people who had experienced a non-fatal opioid overdose and who received their healthcare coverage through Medicaid in Pennsylvania. Individuals who have coverage through Medicaid have a three-fold risk of opioid overdose compared to those who have commercial healthcare coverage. The analysis included rates of MAT use, duration of using opioids, and prescription opioid use status prior to and following an overdose event. Results showed that patients had minimum increases in MAT use and a continued high level of prescription opioid use, suggesting that the state has ample room to improve its current system and to improve health outcomes for this at-risk population. 

Key Statistics

For every fatal opioid overdose, there are about 30 nonfatal overdoses

Among PA Medicaid enrollees with a heroin overdose or a prescription opioid overdose, the mean ages were 32.6 years and 35.5 years

Citation

Frazier W, Cochran G, Lo-Ciganic W, et al. Medication-Assisted Treatment and Opioid Use Before and After Overdose in Pennsylvania Medicaid. JAMA. 2017;318(8):750–752. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.7818

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