Our recent drug utilization review identified a significant gap in post-overdose treatment among Alliance members.
Key findings
- In 2025, only 4.9% of members discharged after an opioid overdose had claims for both buprenorphine and naloxone.
- 81% had no claims for either medication following discharge.
- Among primary care providers linked to these members, 88% did not prescribe buprenorphine or naloxone.
Primary care providers (PCPs) are uniquely positioned to support patients with opioid use disorder. In addition to managing other chronic conditions, PCPs can play a critical role in ensuring patients have access to medications such as buprenorphine and naloxone. For patients who recently experienced an overdose or who are at risk, please consider initiating or continuing these lifesaving therapies.
If you are already prescribing buprenorphine and naloxone, thank you for supporting our members! If you would like additional support, the following resources may be helpful.
Support and resources
Prescribe with Confidence campaign
The Prescribe with Confidence campaign was launched by the FDA in May 2024 to inform, support and encourage prescribers. It provides information and resources for clinicians so that they feel more confident when caring for patients with opioid use disorder.
CA Bridge program
The CA Bridge program of the Public Health Institute works to bridge emergency care and community health to create an integrated system that improves health and equity. Their resource library includes buprenorphine initiation protocols, billing and regulations, and live and on-demand trainings.
Provider support lines
Consult the following provider support lines for treating patients with medication for addiction treatment (MAT).
- National Clinician Consultation Center: 855-300-3595. Free, confidential, clinician-to-clinician phone consultation on evidence-based substance use evaluation and management. Available Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST to any provider in need of specialty addiction medicine consultation. Voicemail is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- California Poison Control: 800-411-8080. California’s fast, free and confidential telehealth provider for information, advice and treatment recommendations. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Thank you for your continued commitment to provide accessible, quality health care to Alliance members!
