By Lori Gordon, Groups
As a social worker, a former leader of behavioral health at one of Kentucky’s largest Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), and an Executive Director of Partner Success at Groups, where we lead the nation in value-based care for Opioid Use Disorder, I am deeply committed to effective addiction treatment. I’ve also seen what addiction has done to our state.
Since 2015, Kentucky has held one of the highest overdose mortality rates in the country. One death is too many, and we saw 1,984 in 2023 alone. That number is unimaginable, but it also represents progress. According to the 2024 Kentucky Drug Overdose Report released earlier this month, the number of overdose deaths in Kentucky decreased by more than 30% from 2023 to 2024. If we continue this yearly trend, we will save thousands of lives over the next decade. So, what did Kentucky do differently and how can we continue to save lives?
Creating the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (KYOACC)
In 2022, the General Assembly unanimously passed House Bill 427, which created the KYOACC, to distribute more than $842 million from settlements reached by the Attorney General. The Commission is bolstering addiction treatment by granting funds to dozens of impactful organizations across Kentucky.
Expanding harm reduction strategies
The Kentucky Department of Public Health Harm Reduction Program invests in strategies with proven impacts. Kentuckians can now receive naloxone (a life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose) at no cost throughout the state through findnaloxone.ky.gov. The program also travels the state and supports expansion projects in local Health Departments to equip people who use drugs with life-saving tools and information.
Making treatment accessible through Medicaid
Kentucky’s success in addressing the opioid crisis is largely due to healthcare access made possible through Medicaid. According to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, Medicaid was the most significant funding source to address Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in Kentucky in 2023. That support, accompanied by strict regulations and transparent outcomes, makes treatment accessible for those who need it most.
At Groups, we serve Kentuckians across the counties hardest hit by the opioid epidemic, including those covered by Medicaid. We’re uniquely positioned to serve rural counties, where overdose death rates are highest, because our members have the option to participate in care virtually or in person at one of our 16 offices, located in the state’s most urban and rural counties. We’ve found transportation to be a significant barrier to care and we’ve prioritized meeting our members where they are, with high-quality and effective treatment. Our results save lives and save money for the state of Kentucky. For example, our Medicaid members with OUD report 32% fewer emergency department visits and 68% lower inpatient utilization.
As strong stewards of Medicaid resources, Groups’ service to its members reduces the burden on our healthcare systems and state government while making our communities safer and healthier for all.
This vital work must continue
I’ve seen what addiction has done to our state. After visiting each of our 120 counties, I know our communities are what make us strong. Each one holds stories of addiction, pain and – most recently – recovery. I’m grateful to play a role in addiction treatment through Groups, where the overdose death rate among our members is 3.5 times lower than the national average. In other words, Groups uniquely empowers our neighbors with the resources they need to achieve lasting recovery. What’s more, our model delivers meaningful outcomes not just for our members, but for the state of Kentucky at large. Individuals in Groups’ care are 26% less costly than those treated by other outpatient providers, and 38% less costly than inpatient alternatives, resulting in significant savings for both our health plan partners and the Commonwealth. As we once again see drastic improvements in Kentucky’s Overdose Death Report, I am grateful for the dedicated stewards of our taxpayer dollars who can ensure Kentucky supports proven and accessible treatment for SUD and OUD.
Lori Gordon is the Executive Director of Partner Success at Groups, where she oversees payer and stakeholder relationships across the country. With over 20 years of leadership experience in behavioral health, Lori has played a key role in developing aligned incentives for value-based contracts, driving impactful outcomes for patients and plans alike. A licensed clinical social worker in Kentucky, Lori combines her clinical expertise with strategic insight to foster strong, collaborative partnerships that enhance access to high-quality care.
