OHCA Expands Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment During National Recovery Month

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) has implemented a new value-based agreement (VBA) for Brixadi, a long-acting injectable medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD), further establishing Oklahoma as a national leader in value-based pharmacy contracting.

This latest agreement allows for the removal of the prior authorization requirement for Brixadi, giving SoonerCare members open access to the treatment without administrative barriers. Brixadi is available in weekly or monthly injectable formulations, offering members a long-acting alternative to daily medication.  

Value-based agreements are payment models that tie the cost of medical services or prescription drugs to how well they work and the health outcomes they achieve, rather than paying solely for the quantity of care delivered. OHCA was the first state Medicaid agency in the nation to implement a VBA and remains a pioneer in this space. 

“Value-based agreements keep Oklahoma at the forefront of efforts to improve health outcomes for the people we serve,” said Aaron Morris, OHCA Interim CEO. “During Recovery Month, we're reminded that access to effective treatment can be the difference between someone staying in recovery and falling out of care. By partnering with willing drug manufacturers on innovative, value-based care models like this one, we can keep building pathways that support our members throughout their recovery journey.” 

September is National Recovery Month, and new federal data underscores both progress and continued urgency in addressing the opioid crisis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released preliminary 2025 data showing an estimated 14% decrease in drug overdose deaths since 2024, the third consecutive year of decline. Opioid-involved overdose deaths specifically fell from an estimated 55,296 in 2024 to 44,564 in 2025, though the toll remains significant. 

Medication-assisted treatment is widely recognized as the gold standard for treating OUD. Research shows MAT significantly reduces overdose risk, improves long-term recovery outcomes and is associated with substantially lower mortality rates compared to no medication treatment. 

By removing barriers to Brixadi, OHCA aims to help members overcome common obstacles to recovery, including missed doses, adherence challenges and treatment disruptions. The change is expected to particularly benefit members in rural and underserved areas, where daily dosing requirements can be difficult to sustain. Over time, OHCA expects expanded access to effective OUD treatment to translate into fewer opioid-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits, a key indicator of a healthier member population.

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