Incentive program improves initiation of medication treatment for opioid use disorder after emergency visit

A novel statewide incentive program intended to improve “warm hand-offs” from Pennsylvania emergency departments to opioid use disorder treatment programs is associated with a 50% improvement in the initiation of medication-assisted treatment in Medicaid-enrolled patients, according to new research from University of Pittsburgh, Howard University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania and Vital Strategies scientists. The finding, published today (March 24) in JAMA Health Forum, points to a potential policy approach to reduce overdose mortality rates, which are particularly high after emergency department discharge.