Improving MOUD Access and Outcomes for Medicare Beneficiaries with Disabilities
Official title: Improving MOUD Access, Opioid-Related Outcomes and Equity Among Medicare Beneficiaries with Disability
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11367993 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how Medicare policies and care delivery affect access to medications for opioid use disorder and related outcomes among adults with disabilities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $705,100 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057568-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11367993 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) with disabilities who are enrolled in Medicare and have or are at risk for opioid use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Beneficiaries without OUD or those not engaged in MOUD pathways may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
If you have a disability and rely on Medicare, this research will examine how early treatment for opioid use disorder is started and maintained, and why disparities exist. The team will analyze national Medicare data linked with death records and other sources to understand how policy changes, providers, and communities influence MOUD initiation and retention. By tracking outcomes over time through 2025, the study aims to identify actionable factors that could improve access, reduce overdoses, and promote better health for people with disability who need MOUD. The goal is to inform policymakers, clinicians, and payers on how to make MOUD more accessible and effective for this vulnerable group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how to improve MOUD access and reduce overdoses for Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that national data linkages can reveal patterns that inform policy changes and improve care, though the specific focus on disabled Medicare beneficiaries is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crystal, Stephen — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Crystal, Stephen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.