Data Brief: Many Medicare Beneficiaries Are Not Receiving Medication To Treat Their Opioid Use Disorder

On December 15, 2021, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) published this data brief that conclude that many Medicare beneficiaries are not receiving medication to treat their opioid addiction. Opioid addiction is a chronic disease that can be treated with medication, yet less than 16% of beneficiaries received medication to treat their opioid use disorder. Even fewer beneficiaries received both medication and behavioral therapy to treat their opioid use disorder. Beneficiaries in Florida, Texas, Nevada, and Kansas were less likely to receive medication for their opioid use disorder than . . .