On September 24 the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), with the support of top federal health officials, released a mobile application and pocket guide to accompany its National Practice Guideline for the Use of Medications in the Treatment of Addiction Involving Opioid Use. The practice guideline was released last spring, but the September meeting took advantage of … [Read more...] about ASAM, Federal Officials Join to Promote MAT for Opioid Use Disorders
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In The Age of Parity, Payers Still Put Up Barriers to OTP Reimbursement
Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance—all three programs are putting up barriers to reimbursement for treatment in an opioid treatment program (OTP), but the situation is getting better, at least in states that expanded Medicaid. Parity doesn’t apply to Medicare, so that presents a huge problem for patients who are covered by Medicare because of age or disability. … [Read more...] about In The Age of Parity, Payers Still Put Up Barriers to OTP Reimbursement
Counties to Get the Purse Strings for SUD Services Under California Waiver: OTPs, Already In a Good Spot, Worry About Changes
A massive change in the way California Medicaid pays opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and other programs for services related to substance use disorder (SUD) was set in motion in August when the federal government approved the state’s Section 1115 waiver, allowing it to give counties control. This will shift the contracting and reimbursement from the state to each of the 58 … [Read more...] about Counties to Get the Purse Strings for SUD Services Under California Waiver: OTPs, Already In a Good Spot, Worry About Changes
Methadone Split-Dosing: Less NAS, Better Maternal Recovery
Cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)—a group of withdrawal symptoms that sometimes afflict newborns—increased about threefold between 2000 and 2009, reflecting a fivefold rise in pregnant women’s use of illicit drugs and prescription opioids. NAS has long been a concern to staff in opioid treatment programs (OTPs). The baby’s symptoms may include tremors, difficulty … [Read more...] about Methadone Split-Dosing: Less NAS, Better Maternal Recovery
John McCarthy, MD, ABPN, Answers Questions About the Methadone Split-Dosing Protocol
AT Forum: Your protocol for pregnant patients at the Bi-Valley clinic calls for giving split methadone take-home doses. How do you manage the safety issues involved? Dr. McCarthy: Take-home doses clearly need to be monitored. What’s most important is to know every patient in the program, and her home situation. This is where a dedicated pregnancy counselor is invaluable. … [Read more...] about John McCarthy, MD, ABPN, Answers Questions About the Methadone Split-Dosing Protocol
