The American Medical Association (AMA) and Manatt Health released a toolkit in February 2022 intended to guide states on removing barriers to evidence-based patient care to combat drug overdose deaths.

Stakeholders can use this resource with legislators, regulators, and other officials to pursue policies that are working to help patients. States have taken myriad approaches to expand treatment for patients with a substance use disorder, and the toolkit provides evidence and feedback on what’s working where and why. To ensure access to evidence-based treatment, the toolkit recommends states expand treatment of opioid use disorder in Medicaid and commercial insurance and remove barriers, such as prior authorization and other utilization management policies. Additionally, treatment must address disparities and the needs of all patients equitably, including vulnerable populations.

Download a copy of the tookit here.