Abstract
Increasing utilization of medications that treat opioid use disorders (MOUD) remains an essential strategy to curb the opioid crisis nationwide, especially among rural areas where access can present challenges. Washington State expanded access to MOUD through its opioid treatment networks (OTN), which provide low-barrier access to MOUD in non-traditional settings with an emphasis on buprenorphine and rural locations. We examined changes in buprenorphine utilization between Medicaid beneficiaries who initiated treatment at OTNs compared to individuals outside OTN facilities and by rural–urban residence.