MOUD use rose across most states among Medicaid beneficiaries with OUD

What the study found: The study found a substantial increase in the percentage of individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) who received medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) among almost all states.
Why the authors say this matters: The authors suggest that the increase in MOUD use may have contributed to reductions in overdose deaths, but they say more research is needed.
What the researchers tested: This was a cross-sectional study of Medicaid beneficiaries with opioid use disorder, looking at state-level patterns in MOUD use.
What worked and what didn't: MOUD use increased substantially in almost all states. The abstract also states that the increase may have contributed to reductions in overdose deaths, but it does not provide more detail here.
What to keep in mind: The available summary does not describe specific limitations, and it notes that more research is needed.

Key points

• MOUD use increased substantially among Medicaid beneficiaries with opioid use disorder in almost all states.
• The study focused on state-level patterns in a cross-sectional sample of Medicaid beneficiaries.
• The authors suggest the increase in MOUD use may have contributed to reductions in overdose deaths.
• The abstract says more research is needed.