To evaluate the impact of state telemedicine policies on the initiation and continuation of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022).
Key Findings:
Telemedicine policies, including coverage parity, payment parity, and relationship waivers, were associated with increased initiation and continuation of SUD treatment.
The expansion of telemedicine during the pandemic was crucial for maintaining access to SUD treatment amidst healthcare disruptions.
Interpretation:
The findings suggest that state-level telemedicine policies can significantly enhance access to SUD treatment, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for sustained policy support.
Limitations:
The study focused only on fully insured commercial plans, potentially limiting generalizability to other insurance types and populations.
The analysis may not fully capture the nuances of individual patient experiences and barriers to telemedicine, such as privacy concerns and technology access.
Conclusion:
State telemedicine policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic played a vital role in facilitating SUD treatment, underscoring the need for ongoing evaluation and potential long-term adoption of these policies to ensure continued access.
by Matthew D. Eisenberg, Kayla N. Tormohlen, Alexander D. McCourt, Jiani Yu, Raghavee Neupane, Yimin Ge, Elizabeth A. Stuart, Michael Fingerhood, Nicholas J. Seewald, Emma Elizabeth McGinty
