To evaluate whether switching to a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) is associated with changes in buprenorphine dispensing and opioid use disorder (OUD)-related healthcare visits among privately insured adults who have been using buprenorphine prior to the switch.
Key Findings:
42% of privately insured US residents under 65 were enrolled in an HDHP in 2023.
Switching to an HDHP may be associated with decreased buprenorphine dispensing and an increase in opioid-related adverse events, such as overdoses or emergency visits.
No prior studies have evaluated the impact of switching to an HDHP on buprenorphine dispensing and OUD-related healthcare visits.
Interpretation:
The study aims to fill a gap in understanding the impact of HDHP enrollment on buprenorphine access and related healthcare outcomes.
Limitations:
The study only includes commercially insured patients, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations, such as those on Medicaid or uninsured individuals.
Data limitations include the exclusion of patients who switched employers or plans during the study period, which may affect the representativeness of the sample.
Conclusion:
The study seeks to determine the effects of HDHP enrollment on buprenorphine access and OUD-related healthcare utilization, highlighting the need for policy considerations to improve treatment access.
