When the pandemic hit the epicenter of New York City in mid-March, Nicholas Stavros’ 24-7 clinics across the country were already preparing. “We got in front of this right away,” said Mr. Stavros, CEO of Community Medical Services (CMS), based in Scottsdale, Arizona. CMS has programs in several states, so keeping up with federal regulatory changes and state-by-state nuances … [Read more...] about How Stavros 24-7 Clinics Handle the Pandemic
How the North Carolina SOTA Responded to the Pandemic
When the pandemic hit full force in mid-March, the State Opioid Treatment Authorities (SOTAs) had to move fast. They regulate opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in their respective states, and well knew that many patients had to visit the clinic frequently. “Social distancing” was possible, but “virtual” treatment was not. To get medication, the patients had to be there. Smith … [Read more...] about How the North Carolina SOTA Responded to the Pandemic
New Georgia OTP Takes Patients and Deals With the Pandemic
Gateway Treatment Centers in Ellijay, Georgia, opened January 7—just a few weeks before the pandemic hit. But it was prepared. The program currently has over 50 patients; 20% of the initial intakes were transfer patients. They were living in this county but having to drive close to an hour to get to treatment. The majority are new patients—new to treatment. OTP … [Read more...] about New Georgia OTP Takes Patients and Deals With the Pandemic
AATOD Concerns about Harm Reduction Initiative During Pandemic
During the week of April 6, a sign-on letter circulating in the harm reduction and patient advocacy fields provoked some strong feelings. The letter focuses on mistreatment of opioid treatment program (OTP) patients during the national emergency and the COVID-19 pandemic. Three of the signatories are the National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery (NAMA) (a patient … [Read more...] about AATOD Concerns about Harm Reduction Initiative During Pandemic
Provisions in CARES Act Affecting OTPs
The CARES Act revises 42 CFR Part 2 (confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records) eliminating consent, except for the first time, after which they can revoke it at any time. After almost 10 years, it looks as if confidentiality has finally met its match, in a killer pandemic. What the insurance industry, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and the … [Read more...] about Provisions in CARES Act Affecting OTPs