Ongoing Management of Opioid Use Disorder Medications: Emerging Research and Policy Challenges
By
Stephan R. Lindner
Hillary Samples
April 22, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Ongoing Management of Opioid Use Disorder Medications: Emerging Research and Policy Challenges
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Key Mechanisms Medications for OUD (MOUD) treatment, policy changes to expand access Target Population Medicaid beneficiaries with OUD Care Setting Medicaid programs across states
Key Highlights
MOUD treatment increased from 60.0% to 69.1% among Medicaid beneficiaries from 2019 to 2023. 180-day retention in MOUD treatment declined from 62.6% to 57.6% during the same period. States with low MOUD treatment rates in 2019 saw significant increases, with some states tripling their rates. Policy changes, including telehealth for buprenorphine and methadone coverage, have influenced MOUD treatment access. Retention in MOUD treatment remains a challenge, with no clear patterns across states. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Utilize Medicaid enrollment and claims records to assess OUD diagnoses. Management
Implement policies to facilitate access to MOUD, including telehealth options. Monitoring & Follow-up
Track 180-day retention rates in MOUD treatment to evaluate care quality. Risks
New patients may struggle with treatment continuity despite increased access. Patient & Prescribing Data
Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with OUD
Increased MOUD treatment rates indicate improved access, but retention strategies are necessary.
Clinical Best Practices
Strengthen care coordination and case management services. Implement training and education campaigns for clinicians on treatment continuity. Set financial incentives for managed care organizations to improve treatment retention. References
