Editing Methadone (section)

=== Economics ===
In the US, generic methadone tablets are inexpensive, with retail prices ranging from $0.25 to $2.50 per [[defined daily dose]].<ref>Based on:

* {{cite web|url=http://www.goodrx.com/methadone?form=tablet&dosage=5mg&quantity=150&days_supply=&label_override=methadone|title=Methadone Prices and Methadone Coupons » 5 mg|publisher=GoodRx, Inc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911110432/http://www.goodrx.com/methadone?form=tablet&dosage=5mg&quantity=150&days_supply=&label_override=methadone|archive-date=11 September 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=30 August 2016}}{{Unreliable source?|date=September 2023}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.goodrx.com/methadone?form=tablet&dosage=40mg&quantity=19&days_supply=&label_override=methadone|title=Methadone Prices and Methadone Coupons » 40 mg|publisher=GoodRx, Inc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911115830/http://www.goodrx.com/methadone?form=tablet&dosage=40mg&quantity=19&days_supply=&label_override=methadone|archive-date=11 September 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=30 August 2016}}{{Unreliable source?|date=September 2023}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.whocc.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N07BC02|title=WHOCC – ATC/DDD Index|publisher=WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919085353/http://www.whocc.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N07BC02|archive-date=19 September 2016|url-status=live|access-date=30 August 2016}}</ref>

Methadone maintenance clinics in the US may be covered by private insurance, [[Medicaid]], or [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment/insurance-payments|title=Insurance and Payments| vauthors = Walsh L |date=16 June 2015 |website=www.samhsa.gov |language=en|access-date=2 November 2018}}</ref> Medicare covers methadone under the prescription drug benefit, Medicare Part D, when it is prescribed for pain, but not when it is used for opioid dependence treatment because it cannot be dispensed in a retail pharmacy for this purpose.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1604.pdf|title=Medicare Coverage of Substance Abuse Services|access-date=3 November 2018|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023225139/https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1604.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In California methadone maintenance treatment is covered under the medical benefit. Patients' eligibility for methadone maintenance treatment is most often contingent on them being enrolled in substance abuse counseling. People on methadone maintenance in the US either have to pay cash or if covered by insurance must complete a pre-determined number of hours per month in therapeutic groups or counseling.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/advocacy/state-medicaid-reports/state-medicaid-reports_ca.pdf?sfvrsn=6|title=Medicaid Coverage of Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder}}</ref> The United States Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) Alcohol and Drug Dependence Rehabilitation Program offers methadone services to eligible veterans enrolled in the VA health care system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/307|title=Veterans Alcohol and Drug Dependence Rehabilitation Program|date=1 November 2018}}</ref>

[[Methadone maintenance|Methadone maintenance treatment]] (MMT) cost analyses often compare the cost of clinic visits versus the overall societal costs of illicit opioid use.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/research/methadone.cfm|title=Methadone Maintenance Treatment|publisher=Drug Policy Alliance Lindesmith Library|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030511203202/http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/research/methadone.cfm#note3|archive-date=11 May 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://international.drugabuse.gov/collaboration/guide_methadone/partb_question15.html|title=Methadone Research Web Guide|publisher=NIDA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215142535/http://international.drugabuse.gov/collaboration/guide_methadone/partb_question15.html|archive-date=15 February 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> A preliminary cost analysis conducted in 2016 by the US Department of Defense determined that methadone treatment, which includes psychosocial and support services, may cost an average of $126.00 per week or $6,552.00 per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/medications-to-treat-opioid-addiction/how-much-does-opioid-treatment-cost|title=How Much Does Opioid Treatment Cost?| author = National Institute on Drug Abuse |date=June 2018 |language=en|access-date=2 November 2018}}</ref> The average cost for one full year of methadone maintenance treatment is approximately $4,700 per patient, whereas one full year of imprisonment costs approximately $24,000 per person.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/drug-addiction-treatment-worth-its-cost|title=Is drug addiction treatment worth its cost?|access-date=29 December 2019|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728024409/https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/drug-addiction-treatment-worth-its-cost|url-status=dead}}</ref>