Healthcare costs and use before and after opioid overdose in Veterans Health Administration patients with opioid use disorder

This retrospective cohort study examined healthcare costs and utilization among more than 66,000 U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD), comparing those who experienced an opioid overdose with those who did not. Researchers found that overdose events were associated with substantial increases in healthcare spending and service use, particularly in the month immediately following the overdose. Adjusted analyses showed an average increase of nearly $17,000 in healthcare costs per patient within 30 days of an overdose, driven largely by inpatient hospital care. Patients who experienced overdoses also had higher rates of hospital admissions, longer inpatient stays, and more outpatient visits, with elevated healthcare use continuing for up to a year afterward.

The authors conclude that opioid overdoses place a significant and lasting burden on healthcare systems and highlight the importance of prevention, harm reduction, and sustained access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), such as buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. The study also notes that patients who later overdosed often showed rising healthcare utilization in the months leading up to the event, suggesting potential opportunities for earlier intervention. While the findings are specific to the veteran population and the VHA system, the research contributes to broader understanding of the economic and clinical impact of opioid overdose in the United States.

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