Pregnant women with opioid use disorder and their infants in three state Medicaid programs in 2013-2016

Maternal opioid use disorder (OUD) has serious consequences for maternal and infant health. Analysis of Medicaid enrollee data is critical, since Medicaid bears a disproportionate share of costs.

This study analyzes linked maternal and infant Medicaid claims data and infant birth records in three states in the year before and after a delivery in 2014-2015 (2013-2016) examining health, health care use, treatment, and neonatal outcomes. Diagnosis and procedure codes identify OUD and other substance use disorders (SUDs).

In the year before and after delivery, 2.2 percent of the sample had an OUD diagnosis, and 5.9 percent had a SUD diagnosis other than OUD. Of the women with OUD, 72.8% had treatment for a SUD in the year before and after delivery, but most had none in an average enrolled month, and only 8.8% received any methadone treatment in a given month. Pregnant women with OUD had delayed and lower rates of prenatal care compared to women with other substance use disorders (SUDs). Infants of mothers with OUD did not differ from infants of mothers with other SUDs in rate of preterm or low birth weight but had higher NICU admission rates and longer birth hospitalizations. Health care costs for women with an OUD were higher than those with other SUDs.

There is an urgent need for comprehensive, evidence-based OUD treatment integrated with maternity care. To fill critical gaps in care, workforce and infrastructure innovations can facilitate delivery of preventive and treatment services coordinated across settings.