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Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
During the 12 months after a nonfatal drug overdose, what percentage of Medicare beneficiaries receive medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), naloxone, or behavioral health services, what percentage have a subsequent nonfatal or fatal drug overdose, and how does receipt of these services affect fatal drug overdose risk?
Findings/Key points
This cohort study found that, despite their known association with reduced risk of a fatal drug overdose, only a small percentage of Medicare beneficiaries received MOUD or filled a naloxone prescription in the 12 months after a nonfatal drug overdose. Efforts to improve access to behavioral health services; MOUD; and overdose-prevention strategies, such as prescribing naloxone and linking individuals to community-based health care settings for ongoing care, are needed.
Design/methods
A cohort study of 136 762 Medicare beneficiaries was conducted in the US from January 2020 to December 2021 using claims, demographic, mortality, and other data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other sources.
