Impact of Federal and State Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Policy Changes During the Pandemic

Part of paid clinical trials in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sponsor
Boston University
Study ID
NCT07232641
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Study Details

"Gold-standard" medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment combines FDA-approved medications, primarily methadone and buprenorphine, with behavioral therapies to provide "whole-patient" treatment. Prior to the pandemic, methadone and buprenorphine were subject to greater federal regulations than medications for other substance use disorders, including medication for alcohol use disorder (MAUD), which created barriers to MOUD initiation and retention. These barriers were exacerbated by physical distancing and diminished clinic capacities during the COVID-19 pandemic. To prevent healthcare disruption and expand access to MOUD treatment during the public health emergency, federal and state authorities implemented several MOUD policy changes during the pandemic to reduce barriers to MOUD initiation and retention, which subsequently became permanent. This study is an evaluation of the impacts of these policies on treatment use, retention, and patient outcomes pre- and post-MOUD policy implementation.

Key Dates

Start date
Jun 30, 2026
Status verified
May 2026
Primary completion
Sep 30, 2029
Completion
Sep 30, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment
185,810 participants (estimated)

Arms

  • Arm: VA Patients with substance use disorder
    Mutually exclusive groups of patients with OUD and AUD (and no co-occurring OUD), who will be matched 1:1 on age, gender, race, rural/urban residence, and state for the the pre (03/2016-02/2020) and post periods (03/2020-02/2024).

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in MOUD/MAUD Receipt [ Time Frame: 4 years pre/post policy change ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
VA Medical CenterBostonMassachusetts02130
Nicholas Livingston, PhD
[email protected]
857-364-6612

Find similar trials in Boston, MA

By condition
Substance use disorder
By specialty
Behavioral healthAddiction medicine
By research site
VA Medical Center· Boston, MA

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