CHA News

CMS Updates Substance Use Disorder Data Book

For behavioral health & emergency department directors

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has updated its Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Data Book for Congress, as required by the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment Act. The data book uses 2018 Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System data.  

Notable findings include:  

  • Of the 55.9 million Medicaid beneficiaries with full or comprehensive benefits ages 12 and older, 4.6 million (8%) were treated for a SUD in 2018.  

  • 57% of beneficiaries treated for a SUD were diagnosed with tobacco use disorder, and 30% had an opioid use disorder.  

  • Nearly half of beneficiaries (46%) treated for a SUD received emergency services (the most common SUD treatment service).  

  • 26% received at least one service in an outpatient or home- or community-based setting within 30 days of discharge.