# Utilization and Access to Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Medicaid

> **NIH NIH F30** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $49,574

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABTRACT
 Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury death in the United States, accounting for near nearly
half a million deaths between 2000 and 2014. Over this time, opioid overdose deaths have risen at a higher
rate than overdose deaths associated with other drugs, suggesting opioids are largely driving increases in
mortality. In addition to the devastating human costs of overdoses to families and communities, the economic
burden of prescription opioid overdoses is estimated at approximately $80 billion a year.
 Pharmacologic treatments for opioid use disorder are effective at reducing illicit opioid use but are vastly
underutilized. There are three pharmacological treatments for opioid use disorder: methadone, buprenorphine,
and naltrexone. Buprenorphine is a promising option for increasing access to treatment for opioid use disorder.
Unlike methadone, buprenorphine can be prescribed by office-based physicians, and unlike naltrexone,
buprenorphine can be prescribed to individuals actively using opioids.
 Medicaid-enrolled individuals are at higher risk of opioid overdose, and Medicaid is the largest single
payer of substance use services. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence concerning access and utilization of
buprenorphine treatment in Medicaid programs. The few existing studies suggest that recent health reforms
have not increased substance use service utilization and few buprenorphine providers treat Medicaid patients.
 The overall objective of this Kirschstein-NRSA F30 fellowship is to generate evidence that can guide
policies to improve buprenorphine utilization and access in Medicaid. The specific aims of this proposal are: 1)
To evaluate the effects of Medicaid expansion on overall state-level utilization of buprenorphine; and 2) To
describe insurance-related barriers to buprenorphine provision among providers.
 This proposed research includes a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods: quasi-
experimental methods to evaluate policy effects (Aim 1) and semi-structure interviews with providers on
treatment barriers (Aim 2). Through this research project and a carefully constructed training plan, the trainee
will achieve the following fellowship goals: 1) Develop advanced skills in research using quasi-experimental
design; 2) Develop skills in mixed methods research data collection, analysis, and interpretation; 3) Gain
knowledge of theories, methods, and issues in implementation science; and 4) Develop clinical and
professional skills for a career as an academic physician-scientist.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10142404
- **Project number:** 5F30DA044668-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Alex Gertner
- **Activity code:** F30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $49,574
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-05-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10142404

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10142404, Utilization and Access to Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Medicaid (5F30DA044668-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10142404. Licensed CC0.

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