Many Medicare Beneficiaries Are Not Receiving Medication to Treat Their Opioid Use Disorder

Date Issued

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Submitting OIG

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Health & Human Services

Report Number

OEI-02-20-00390

Report Type

Inspection / Evaluation

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

Open Recommendations

This report has 6 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
7022	No	$0	$0
CMS should conduct additional outreach to beneficiaries to increase awareness about Medicare coverage for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
7023	No	$0	$0
CMS should take steps to increase the number of providers and opioid treatment programs for Medicare beneficiaries with opioid use disorder.
7024	No	$0	$0
CMS should assist SAMHSA by providing data about the number of Medicare beneficiaries receiving buprenorphine in office-based settings and the geographic areas where Medicare beneficiaries remain underserved.
7025	No	$0	$0
CMS should take steps to increase the utilization of behavioral therapy among beneficiaries receiving medication to treat opioid use disorder.
7026	No	$0	$0
CMS should create an action plan and take steps to address disparities in the treatment of opioid use disorder.
7027	No	$0	$0
CMS should collect data on the use of telehealth in opioid treatment programs.