Medicaid Coverage For Co-Occurring Chronic Pain & Opioid Addiction Varies Widely By State

Co-occurring chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) are associated with a high disease burden for the patient, requiring comprehensive treatment approaches, yet Medicaid benefit structures for evidence-based therapies vary substantially across states, a recent study stated.;

As the largest payer for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mental health services, Medicaid plays a crucial role in determining treatment access, the study stated. Recent policy reforms have expanded coverage for residential treatment and medications for OUD while reducing preauthorization requirements, the study stated. The significant variation that exists across state Medicaid programs in coverage for behavioral health . . .