Medicaid Expansion Linked To Increased Prescribing Of Buprenorphine To Treat Opioid Use Disorder

In the 26 states that expanded Medicaid as of 2014, the volume of Medicaid-covered buprenorphine prescriptions for opioid use disorder treatment increased by 70% compared to non-expansion states. Also, Medicaid spending on buprenorphine increased by 50% in expansion states.

Compared to buprenorphine prescription volume per 1,000 residents per quarter during 2011 through 2013, the 2014 volume in the expansion states increased by an average of 1.30 prescriptions per 1,000 residents per quarter. In the non-expansion states, volume increased by an average of 0.31 prescriptions per 1,000 residents per quarter

State Medicaid spending . . .