States vary in Medicaid payments for opioid addiction treatment

While the opioid epidemic impacts all income levels, Medicaid is the largest source of behavioral health care and opioid addiction treatment. However that rate varies considerably by state and are higher in ERC states, according to an analysis by STAT News. Eight ERC states are among the highest twelve in Medicaid’s share of opioid agonist (buprenorphine) payment, but no ERC state is in the top twelve in opioid use. Proposed changes to Medicaid in Congress could reduce Medicaid’s ability to address the epidemic by reducing the number of people covered, and eliminating the requirement to cover mental health and substance abuse treatment.