Who Gets Medication-assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder, and Does It Reduce Overdose Risk? Evidence from the Rhode Island All-payer Claims Database

This paper uses the all-payer claims database (APCD) for Rhode Island to study three questions about use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) opioid disorder (OUD): (1) Does MAT reduce risk overdose; (2) are there systematic differences in uptake by observable patient-level characteristics; and (3) how successful were federal policy changes implemented 2016 that sought promote increased buprenorphine, one medication options within MAT? Regarding first question, we find as practiced is associated with a reduced repeated overdose among patients who had an initial nonfatal overdose, consistent strong endorsement public health officials. Concerning second, factors such age, gender, insurance payer, poverty rate one’s residential Zip code significant chance receiving methadone and/or suggesting certain groups may face unwarranted disparities access MAT. About third rule change enabled at least some experienced buprenorphine prescribers reach more patients, separate aimed recruiting new was also found be effective. However, data suggest many state could treated if took full advantage their prescribing limits.