Integrated Care Strategies for Opioid Use Disorder

This technical report discusses the integration of behavioral and physical health services to improve outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) in West Virginia. It outlines the significant health risks associated with OUD, including overdose and self-harm, and highlights the state's Medicaid managed care plans' role in addressing these issues. The report details the implementation of an 1115 demonstration waiver aimed at enhancing integrated care for Medicaid beneficiaries with OUD. It describes the strategies employed by UniCare Health Plan, including the deployment of behavioral health case managers and the establishment of a physical health team to coordinate care for pregnant members. The analysis section presents data indicating a reduction in overdose, self-harm, and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) rates among Medicaid members with OUD from July 2019 to April 2023. The report concludes with recommendations for sustaining integrated care services and engaging multi-sector partnerships to address the needs of individuals with OUD.