Exclusive: Opioid crisis cost Massachusetts $145 billion last year, report says
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The opioid epidemic cost Massachusetts nearly $145 billion in 2024, according to new research from Avalere Health.
The big picture: The Washington-based health care consulting firm's research examines the economic toll of the epidemic that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in Massachusetts.
- The estimated national cost reached nearly $4 trillion in 2024, per Avalere's estimates provided to Axios exclusively.
Threat level: While opioid-related overdose deaths have declined in recent years, Massachusetts is one of the states where opioid use disorder is most prevalent.
- OUD affects more than 2.5% of the population, similar to in New Hampshire, Nevada and Kentucky.
- Wyoming, Hawaii, Washington, D.C. and Minnesota had the lowest rates, falling below 1%.
In terms of cost, Massachusetts' estimated $145-billion loss was one of the highest in the nation in 2024, per Avalere's estimates.
How it works: Avalere determined the financial burden of OUD by analyzing relevant healthcare expenses, lost wages and work productivity, lost tax revenue, police and court costs and other factors.
By the numbers: Opioid use disorder cost patients alone an estimated $111 billion in terms of reduced quality of life and life lost overall.
- Individuals and households faced a collective $9.2 billion loss last year in lost wages and other expenses, per Avalere's estimates.
- Avalere also estimated major hits to businesses ($17.5 billion), the federal government ($4.3 billion) and state and local governments ($3.4 billion).
- Police, court and correctional expenses related to people with OUD accounted for 40% of state and local government costs, per Avalere.
Avalere also estimated cost savings from using medication and behavioral therapy to treat OUD.
- Behavioral therapy alone led to an estimated $144,000 cost savings per case in 2024.
- A combination of therapy and methadone led to an estimated cost savings of $271,000.
- The highest cost savings per case was $295,000 through a combination of therapy and long-acting injectables like buprenorphine, per Avalere.