Buprenorphine Implementation Toolkit 2020
Introduction
A brief introduction to buprenorphine as an effective way to treat substance use disorders.
Why buprenorphine?
Learn more about what buprenorphine is, as well as critical information such as forms and methodology, as well as outcome and business benefits.
Starting or improving a buprenorphine treatment program
Communities and the entities that fund addiction treatment are pressing for effective strategies to address the opioid epidemic. Implementing a buprenorphine treatment program now is a timely way to save lives and communities.
Securing buy-in
An essential part of starting a medication assisted treatment (MAT) program with buprenorphine requires first securing support for its use from staff at all levels of the organization, along with clients, prescribers, the recovery community, and the criminal justice system.
Recruiting physicians
Most agencies specializing in addiction treatment not only do not have physicians on staff but also have little or no experience in recruiting medical professionals. Recruiting a physician to become a buprenorphine prescriber may be one of the biggest challenges that treatment agencies face.
Paying for buprenorphine
Changes to health care laws implemented in 2014 required Medicaid and private insurance companies to provide full coverage for treatment of substance use disorders. Finding a way to pay for buprenorphine remains a challenge for many publicly-funded addiction treatment providers.
Addressing concerns about diversion
Some treatment agencies and physicians have been reluctant to offer buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorders because of the medication’s risk for diversion, or its risk for being sold “on the street.”
Developing and improving processes
Integrating buprenorphine treatment into your agency’s program will involve developing new processes or improving existing processes.
Sample forms
Sample forms for buprenorphine implementation.
Fact sheets
These medication-assisted treatment fact sheets provide easy access to information on using FDA-approved medications as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for substance use disorders.
Videos: Buprenorphine barriers
Videos from experts explaining how they overcame the barriers to the implementation of buprenorphine.