I was surprised to read our recent report on the senior population and addiction—16% Of Medicare Beneficiaries Diagnosed With Opioid Addiction Receive Medication Assisted Treatment. The study found very limited treatment happening for seniors with addictions. In addition to limited access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), the analysis also found that less than half of those seniors receive behavioral health therapy.

The prevalence of opioid addiction is well documented, three million people in the United States (about 1.5% of the adult population) have had or currently live with an opioid use disorder (OUD), and more than 500,000 people in the U.S. are dependent on heroin (see Opioid Addiction). And the number of older adults in the U.S. who misuse…