Virtual Programs to Treat Opioid Use Disorder Will Undergo Independent Evaluation

NEW YORK —

The Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI) announced today that it will conduct an independent evaluation of virtual programs used to treat opioid use disorder on the basis of clinical effectiveness and economic impact. PHTI’s assessments inform health plans, employers, and providers on whether and how to adopt various digital health technologies to ensure solutions improve health outcomes, expand access, and reduce total spending.

“Virtual solutions are a promising way to expand access to essential care for those living with opioid use disorder,” said Caroline Pearson, executive director of PHTI. “By connecting patients to providers, supporting medication adherence, tracking recovery progress, and providing peer support, these solutions have the potential to reach people experiencing addiction who might not otherwise initiate and sustain treatment.”

Opioid use disorder affects an estimated 5.4 million adults in the United States, with opioids attributable for three-quarters of drug overdoses annually, and 1,560 overdose deaths per week, according to the most recent data. There was a 67% rise in opioid-related deaths between 2017 and 2023, with American Indian/Alaska Native and Black people experiencing the highest death rates.

U.S. healthcare system spending for opioid use disorder totals nearly $90 billion annually. Premature death, loss of productivity, and costs to the criminal justice system add hundreds of billions of dollars to the human and economic toll.

Smartphone apps, telehealth platforms, digital therapy modules, and incentive-based programs aim to expand access to opioid use disorder treatment and support recovery. Some digital programs are designed to connect patients with licensed providers who can prescribe controlled substances through virtual visits. Other digital programs can provide automated reminders for medication adherence, help patients monitor recovery progress, and connect patients to peer support and crisis intervention.

PHTI’s assessment of virtual solutions used to treat opioid use disorder will follow its evaluation of virtual solutions for anxiety and depression. PHTI evaluations published to date include digital diabetes management solutions, virtual musculoskeletal solutions, and digital hypertension management solutions.