Understanding how insurance affects access to medications for opioid use disorder
Insurance-related barriers to medications for opioid use disorder in private and Medicaid plans
This study looks at how insurance rules make it harder for people with opioid use disorder to get important medications like buprenorphine and methadone, and it aims to find ways to make it easier for patients to access these treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10877725 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the barriers that insurance policies create for patients seeking medications to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). It focuses on how cost-sharing and prior authorization requirements impact the ability of privately insured and Medicaid patients to access effective treatments like buprenorphine and methadone. By analyzing data from national databases, the study aims to identify specific insurance-related obstacles and provide recommendations for policy changes that could improve access to these critical medications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with opioid use disorder who are covered by private insurance or Medicaid.
Not a fit: Patients who are uninsured or do not have access to private or Medicaid insurance may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to life-saving medications for patients struggling with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that addressing insurance-related barriers can significantly improve access to treatment for various health conditions, suggesting a potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chua, Kao-Ping — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Chua, Kao-Ping
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 below.