In Case You Haven't Heard…

Abstract

“Funny how that works.” Yes. A perceptive insight from ASAM Weekly in last week's issue. “Surveying data can even help keep payers honest…sometimes. An analysis of Medicaid benefits documentation found that less than half of managed care plans (MCP) provide all three FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder (MAUD). But if you spin it differently, over 90% of the same MCPs cover at least one medication for AUD. Funny how that works.” Thanks to ASAM Weekly editor-in-chief Nicholas Athanasiou, MD in “Alcohol Use Disorder Medication Coverage and Utilization Management in Medicaid Managed Care Plans.” The three medications, by the way, are acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone. Disulfiram (Antabuse) has fallen out of favor in recent years/decades.