High deductible health plans and spending among families with a substance use disorder

High-deductible Health Plans and Nonfatal Opioid Overdose

“…This study evaluates the impact of employer offers of an HDHP on the probability of an enrollee with OUD experiencing a nonfatal opioid overdose. Given that prior research has established that offering an HDHP reduces SUD treatment use among enrollees with SUD, 7,8 we hypothesize that employer offer of an HDHP may increase the observed rate of nonfatal opioid overdose for enrollees with OUD by reducing engagement in treatment.…”

“…Prior research has found that employer offer of an HDHP is associated with a reduction in health care service utilization, including lower spending on pharmaceuticals 6 . Recent work focused on HDHPs and substance use disorder (SUD) specifically found that offering an HDHP reduces SUD treatment use among individuals and families with SUD 7,8 . These findings raise significant concern given the toll of the opioid overdose crisis; the increasing popularity of HDHPs may inhibit treatment use that could reduce the probability of experiencing an opioid overdose.…”

“…6 Recent work focused on HDHPs and substance use disorder (SUD) specifically found that offering an HDHP reduces SUD treatment use among in-dividuals and families with SUD. 7,8 These findings raise significant concern given the toll of the opioid overdose crisis; the increasing popularity of HDHPs may inhibit treatment use that could reduce the probability of experiencing an opioid overdose. Yet, no research to date has explored this question.…”

High-Deductible Health Plans’ Impact on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatments—Balancing Cost and Care

“…Given that care for mental health disorders and SUDs continues to be a pressing public health concern and the high out-of-pocket cost associated with treatment, 4 a deeper understanding of the complex effects of HDHPs on this population is crucial for informing policy and regulatory decisions.Three 2022 studies investigated the intent-totreat effect of offering HDHPs on the use of SUD treatment services. [5][6][7] Eisenberg et al 5 found a 7.7% reduction in ambulatory services and a 4.3% reduction in medication treatment-the services public health officials aim to encourage. Meiselbach et al 6 built on these findings and found that more than three-quarters of reduced spending attributed to an HDHP came at the expense of care from the family member with an SUD.…”

“…Three 2022 studies investigated the intent-totreat effect of offering HDHPs on the use of SUD treatment services. [5][6][7] Eisenberg et al 5 found a 7.7% reduction in ambulatory services and a 4.3% reduction in medication treatment-the services public health officials aim to encourage. Meiselbach et al 6 built on these findings and found that more than three-quarters of reduced spending attributed to an HDHP came at the expense of care from the family member with an SUD.…”