We fixed opioid coverage but not the system behind it

In 2024, about one in six Americans met the criteria for a substance use disorder, highlighting a significant public health challenge. Despite national spending on substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health treatment increasing from $41 billion in 2000 to nearly $140 billion by 2021, only about one in five individuals who needed treatment actually received it. This gap in treatment is largely due to the complexity of reimbursement processes, which remains a major unresolved issue in addiction treatment. The difficulty in navigating insurance and payment systems prevents many from accessing the care they need, underscoring the need for systemic changes to improve accessibility and effectiveness of treatment services. QUESTION: How might simplifying the reimbursement process impact the number of people receiving treatment for substance use disorders?