Health Plan Disenrollment Linked To 51% Higher Mortality Risk For Patients Receiving OUD Medications

Health plan disenrollment was associated with higher mortality rates among people who started medication treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). All-cause mortality rates were 51% higher, and overdose mortality rates were 56% higher among those who experienced health plan disenrollment.

The researchers analyzed outcomes for 20,011 people age 16 and older who had started OUD treatment with buprenorphine or naltrexone at three integrated health insurance and care delivery systems in two states. The cohort included individuals with both private and public insurance who started treatment between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2021. Participants were followed for up . . .