MOUD Treatment Utilization by Medicaid Beneficiaries Across Rurality and in RCORP vs. Non-RCORP Counties

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) has invested substantially in expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in rural communities. This study will assess utilization of MOUD-related services among Medicaid beneficiaries with opioid use disorder (OUD) across the rural-urban spectrum and in RCORP-funded versus non-RCORP-funded counties over time, and address the following research questions:

1. What proportion of Medicaid beneficiaries with an OUD diagnosis have at least one encounter related to MOUD medication receipt in each calendar year?
2. Among Medicaid beneficiaries with an OUD diagnosis, what proportion are receiving MOUD medication in rural vs. urban patients (and across rurality) and in RCORP vs. non-RCORP counties?
3. Among Medicaid beneficiaries with OUD diagnoses who receive MOUD medication, what are the average and median drive distances and times for rural vs. urban patients (and across rurality) and in RCORP vs. non-RCORP counties?