NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Improving Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Medicare Beneficiaries

Official title: Access to Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder in the Medicare Population

Funded at Rand Corporation · NIH-11413739 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project aims to make FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder more accessible to people covered by Medicare.

More Opioid Use research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRand Corporation
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Santa Monica, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2025
Project endMay 31, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$2,174,516
NIH project number4RF1AG088646-02
Project IDNIH-11413739 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with opioid use disorder who may benefit from MOUD.

Less likely to help

Beneficiaries who do not have OUD or who do not need MOUD would not directly benefit.

What this research studies

If you have Medicare and struggle to access medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone for opioid use disorder, this project looks at how coverage, location, and provider quality affect access. Researchers will use real-world data and policy analysis to identify barriers and test ways to improve MOUD availability for diverse groups, including rural residents and nonwhite beneficiaries. The goal is to inform policy and care practices so more patients can receive effective treatment.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to broader MOUD access for Medicare beneficiaries, reducing morbidity and mortality from opioid use disorder.

How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown access barriers exist; this study seeks to deepen understanding and identify actionable improvements.

Where this research is happening

  • Rand Corporation
    Santa Monica, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Taylor, Erin a — Rand Corporation
  • Study coordinator: Taylor, Erin a

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.