A New Approach to the Opioid Crisis: Pandemic-Informed Solutions
Policymakers can leverage COVID-19 pandemic era learnings, such as the use of telehealth, the continuation of cross-state licensure, and the employment of peers, to implement measures that support sustained access to evidence-based solutions for the delivery of care to individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD).
The decades-long opioid crisis accelerated during the pandemic. Overdose death rates increased by 30 percent in 2020, and rates continued to climb through 2021. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions made it harder for individuals with OUD to receive treatment and support services. However, they also led to important adaptations such as the expansion of virtual care services for OUD.
The pandemic has offered valuable insight into the effectiveness of telehealth for the treatment of OUD. New innovations have proven essential in protecting access to and continuity of necessary care. Looking forward, they can also inform policy that leads to long-term success in treating and supporting people with OUD, such as expansion of peer supports and flexibility in cross-state provider licensing.
Related Public Policy Research
Opioid use disorder (OUD) can have significant behavioral and physical health effects. Data demonstrates improved outcomes for Medicaid members with opioid use disorder in West Virginia through integrated care delivered by a Medicaid managed care plan.
National standardized code sets are used to report medical diagnoses, tests, services, and procedures on healthcare claims. The medical coding infrastructure should be updated and modernized to incorporate the availability and use of new virtual care modalities.
Medicaid MCOs help states achieve whole person care by integrating services across physical healthcare, MH/SUD, and social supports, while promoting recovery and resiliency.