HealthDay (7/1, Thompson ) reports a study found that people with opioid use disorder “covered by Medicare and Medicaid are less likely to receive the mental health and substance use treatment that they need.” In contrast, people with opioid use disorder who have “public insurance receive more than twice as many sessions if their therapy is also covered by other sources, such as court-mandated treatment.” Overall, researchers observed that patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder “were more likely to get all the help they needed if they had additional coverage on top of Medicaid or Medicare.” Study authors commented, “It’s the exact opposite of how we should be helping people.” The study was published in
Addiction Science & Clinical Practice.
Related Links:
— “Medicaid, Medicare Don’t Adequately Cover Addiction Treatment, Study Says,”
Dennis Thompson , HealthDay , July 1, 2025