Prescription Opioid Use and Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder in North Carolina Medicaid: 2013–2018

The opioid epidemic has exacted enormous human, social, and financial costs affecting individuals, families, and
communities throughout the United States. Here in North Carolina, more than 10,000 people have died from an
opioid-related overdose since 2008.

Arnold Ventures supported a study by researchers at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill of prescription opioids and medications to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) in North Carolina Medicaid
claims between 2013 and 2018.

This report describes the results of that study, and builds on the State’s Opioid Action Plan, by profiling opioidrelated medication utilization and describing populations at risk of opioid-related harms in the North Carolina Medicaid program. NC Medicaid* serves over 2 million low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly
adults, and people with disabilities throughout the State.

To identify criteria that characterize people at risk of opioid-related harms, we reviewed the scientific literature
and consulted medical experts. We then designed this study to apply those criteria to NC Medicaid claims data
and investigate trends over time. We also characterized the degree to which Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with
opioid use disorder (OUD) receive medications to treat OUD. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services approved the use of NC Medicaid data for this study.