active Assessment
Virtual Opioid Use Disorder Solutions
Evidence Protocol Published
Last Updated
March 5, 2025
Conditions
Opioid Use Disorder
"*" indicates required fields
PHTI is assessing the clinical and economic impact of virtual solutions for opioid use disorder (OUD).
Area overview
Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects an estimated 5.4 million adults across all demographics and geographic regions. Opioids are responsible for three quarters of drug overdoses in the United States and cost the healthcare system $90B annually.
Digital health solutions are designed to provide innovative ways to expand access to OUD treatment and support recovery.
These digital solutions often include smartphone apps, telehealth platforms, digital cognitive-behavioral therapy modules, and incentive-based programs. Many platforms also connect patients with licensed providers who can prescribe controlled substances, like buprenorphine, through virtual visits. Some digital tools support medication adherence through automated reminders, enable monitoring of recovery progress, and connect users to peer support and crisis intervention.
PHTI is assessing virtual OUD management solutions to determine the clinical effectiveness and budget impact of these solutions.
Why assess virtual opioid use disorder solutions?
- Estimates suggest opioid use disorder affected 5.4 million adults in the United States in 2023. Three in ten adults overall report that they, or someone in their family, have experienced opioid addiction.
- The number of opioid-related deaths rose by 67% between 2017 and 2023. OUD is exacerbating existing racial health disparities, with American Indian/Alaska Native and Black people experiencing the highest opioid death rates as well as the largest growth in death rates.
- Opioid use disorder costs the healthcare system $90B annually.
- In recent years, many digital health companies have launched to address substance use, and opioid use specifically. They generally focus on Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), with some working to make medications more accessible than traditional rehab by cutting down on in-person visits and drug tests. Others provide parts of a comprehensive treatment plan—like peer support or contingency management—that community-based providers may not be able to deliver directly.
- There is a significant gap between the number of people who have OUD and the number that seek or receive treatment for it. This has driven significant interest and investment in digital OUD solutions as a potential solution to help increase access to care.
- Payers, providers, employers, patients, and families are eager to understand which digital opioid use disorder solutions may provide meaningful and long-lasting clinical results at lower cost.
- Effective virtual solutions have the potential to both improve health outcomes for patients and have additional benefits such as increased employee productivity and reduced caregiver burden.
Downloads & Resources
February 2025
A systematic literature review of digital health technologies for substance use disorderInternational prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO), National Institute for Health and Care Research
Contact
Get in touch with us if you want to learn more about opportunities to provide input on this assessment.
"*" indicates required fields
Read an overview of our assessment Approach and Framework
View assessment frameworkRelated news
-
Read ArticleMar 6, 2025News Coverage
Fierce Healthcare
Peterson Health Technology Institute to evaluate efficacy of virtual opioid use disorder programs
-
Mar 5, 2025Announcement
Virtual Programs to Treat Opioid Use Disorder Will Undergo Independent Evaluation
Peterson Health Technology Institute to assess the clinical and economic impact of virtual programs that care for people with opioid use disorder to inform payers, providers, and patients
Stay up to date
Sign up to receive updates.