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August saw several regulatory moves by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA. Here are three which affect opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in particular: On 8/14, SAMHSA issued its proposed rule regarding Medicare coverage for medical-assisted treatment (buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone), which will take effect in January. Only OTPs are … [Read more...] about Spate of Regulatory Moves from SAMHSA

In a final rule published August 16 in the Federal Register, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services said that information did not need to be collected on patients on methadone or buprenorphine receiving benzodiazepines as part of palliative care.  (It also said it didn’t need to include cancer care.) “Some commenters recommended excluding patients receiving medication … [Read more...] about Hospitals Can Exclude Measuring Co-prescribing Methadone and Buprenorphine With Benzodiazepines in Palliative Care

In a “comment request” published in the Federal Register August 13, SAMHSA has reiterated its certification requirements for OTPs. Comments are due by September 12. For more information, go to the source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/08/13/2019-17261/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-for-omb-review-comment-request What’s up with 42 CFR Part … [Read more...] about SAMHSA Reaffirms OTP Certification Regulations

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) was released August 20, and surprised us by showing a decrease in treatment for illicit drug use in 2018, following an increase every year since 2015. Why was this? "While we do not know for certain, our thought is that the structure of the survey question may not be capturing all types of treatment being delivered,” a SAMHSA … [Read more...] about NSDUH Shows Mysterious Decline in Illicit Drug Abuse Treatment in 2018