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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 4 of 4 Research Studies DisplayedZhang Y, Johnson P, Jeng PJ
First opioid prescription and subsequent high-risk opioid use: a national study of privately insured and Medicare Advantage adults.
This study examined the association between a first opioid prescription and high-risk opioid use in the 18 months following the first prescription. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a large commercial insurance claims database for patients aged 18-64 and also Medicare Advantage patients aged 65 or older for 2011-2014. The patients initially had not used opioids. The features the researchers were looking for were: 1) opioid or benzodiazepine prescriptions overlapping 7 days or more, 2) opioid prescriptions overlapping for 7 days or more; 3) three or more prescribers of opioids; and 4) a daily dosage exceeding 120 morphine milligram equivalents, in each of the six quarters following the first prescription. All of those features were strongly associated with high-risk use.
AHRQ-funded; HS021531.
Citation: Zhang Y, Johnson P, Jeng PJ .
First opioid prescription and subsequent high-risk opioid use: a national study of privately insured and Medicare Advantage adults.
J Gen Intern Med 2018 Dec;33(12):2156-62. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4628-y..
Keywords: Opioids, Substance Abuse, Medication, Risk, Medicare, Health Insurance
Friedman SA, Azocar F, Xu H
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) evaluation study: did parity differentially affect substance use disorder and mental health benefits offered by behavioral healthcare carve-out and carve-in plans?
The purpose of the stud was to assess whether implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) was associated with: 1. Reduced differences in financial requirements (i.e., copayments and coinsurance) for substance use disorder (SUD) versus specialty mental health (MH) care and 2. Reductions in the level of cost-sharing for SUD-specific services.
AHRQ-funded; HS024866.
Citation: Friedman SA, Azocar F, Xu H .
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) evaluation study: did parity differentially affect substance use disorder and mental health benefits offered by behavioral healthcare carve-out and carve-in plans?
Drug Alcohol Depend 2018 Sep 1;190:151-58. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.06.008..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Health Insurance, Policy, Substance Abuse
Andrews CM, Grogan CM, Smith BT
Medicaid benefits for addiction treatment expanded after implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
This study looked at the effects the Affordable Care Act (ACA) had on Medicaid benefits for addiction treatment. The ACA established a minimum standard of benefits and required state Medicaid programs to make changes to their treatment benefits. Researchers surveyed all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2014 and 2017 when the ACA requirements came into effect. There was a substantial increase in benefits with a decrease in annual service limits of over 50 percent. There was a large reduction in preauthorization requirements for medications to treat opioid use disorder as well as other reductions in preauthorizations.
AHRQ-funded; HS000084.
Citation: Andrews CM, Grogan CM, Smith BT .
Medicaid benefits for addiction treatment expanded after implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
Health Aff 2018 Aug;37(8):1216-22. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.0272..
Keywords: Access to Care, Behavioral Health, Health Insurance, Medicaid, Policy, Substance Abuse
Tran Smith B, Seaton K, Andrews C
Benefit requirements for substance use disorder treatment in state health insurance exchanges.
This study assessed the extent to which state insurance departments regulate the types of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment that services and medications plans must provide, and also their use of utilization controls. Data were obtained from state insurance departments via an internet-based survey, as part of the National Drug Abuse Treatment System Survey. The results indicate that states vary widely in regulations on qualified health plans’ (QHPs) administration of SUD treatment benefits; some required plans to cover all the SUD treatment services and medications assessed in this study, while others did not require plans to cover any at all. Nearly all states allowed the plans to employ utilization controls, but reported little guidance on their usage. The authors conclude that by not requiring coverage for the entire SUD continuum of care, some states hinder client access to the appropriate types of care needed for recovery.
AHRQ-funded; HS000084.
Citation: Tran Smith B, Seaton K, Andrews C .
Benefit requirements for substance use disorder treatment in state health insurance exchanges.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 2018;44(4):426-30. doi: 10.1080/00952990.2017.111934..
Keywords: Access to Care, Health Insurance, Medication, Policy, Substance Abuse