In this cross-sectional study with random assignment of clinicians and simulated-patient callers, callers representing pregnant women were less likely than callers representing nonpregnant women to be granted an appointment with an opioid use disorder treatment clinician (61% vs 74%). There were substantial barriers for both pregnant and nonpregnant women attempting to gain access to treatment, including a large portion of clinicians who did not accept insurance and required cash payment for an appointment.
These findings suggest that pregnant and nonpregnant women face substantial barriers in obtaining appointments with an opioid use disorder treatment clinician.