The Hidden Cost of Travel Time for OTPs

Since methadone can only be dispensed by less than 2,000 federally licensed opioid treatment programs (OTPs) around the country, many patients have to travel significant distances to access the life-saving treatment they need.

And because many OTPs require daily, in-person clinic visits for methadone patients, these commutes can create a significant barrier to treatment engagement and retention.

“It cost me more in gas and time — time I should have been using to focus on strengthening my recovery. Instead, I found myself stuck in a cycle of despair, feeling like the system wasn’t designed to help me thrive,” said one Sonara patient about their experience before they had access to take-home methadone.

These long, daily commutes also generate significant costs for payors, including State Medicaid Agencies, in the form of non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT).

In this article, we’ll explore the opportunities to reduce these costs and improve treatment retention through the implementation of a hybrid care plan, which allows for fewer in-person visits without sacrificing patient safety or engagement.  

The Challenge of Travel Time for OTP Patients

For many OTP patients, the daily inconvenience of visiting the clinic becomes a significant strain. Patients often report feeling like their lives revolve around treatment, leaving little room for normalcy or progress in recovery. 

A study published in JAMA found that approximately 26% of patients could not reach any facility via transit within 180 minutes, and that the average one-way transit travel time for the other 74% of patients was 45.6 minutes. This is alarming considering research shows that long trips to an OTP directly impact patients’ treatment outcomes. A study published in BMC Health Services Research found that drive times exceeding 10 minutes were associated with a 33% reduction in the completion of methadone treatment plans. 

Historically, these visits have been necessary for ensuring patient safety and adherence to treatment programs. However, new technologies and new regulatory flexibilities make daily visits less necessary.

Regulatory adjustments now allow for take-home doses of methadone under certain conditions, especially for OTP patients who are further along in their recovery journeys. 

Many providers have valid concerns regarding fewer patient interactions when issuing take-homes. Identifying those who need additional support becomes more challenging when providers are not engaging with patients on a daily basis.

How Sonara Transforms the Patient Experience

Sonara is a hybrid care platform that enables in-person visits with telehealth. Hybrid care provides the flexibility and accessibility patients need, while still allowing for regular patient-provider interactions.

With Sonara, patients can securely record their methadone doses from the comfort of their homes. Care teams can also monitor methadone adherence remotely and leverage real-time patient insights, empowering them to make better-informed clinical decisions.

On average, Sonara patients travel to OTP clinics 14 fewer days per month, significantly easing the challenges that accompany treatment. 

This reduction in travel time directly translates to significant benefits for patients. Patients may find complying with their treatment plans easier when their daily travel demands are minimized, leading to improved treatment outcomes. Additionally, with less time spent commuting to their OTPs, they can focus more on their personal and professional commitments, enhancing their overall quality of life.

“Sonara is changing the idea of what it is to be on methadone. It’s no longer a daily ‘sentence’ of going to the clinic. That means even though a person is in treatment, they can still lead normal lives,” shared one Sonara patient. 

In addition to improving access to treatment through take-homes, Sonara’s technology plays a critical role in ensuring patient safety. While most patients adhere to their treatment, Sonara helps identify the 18% of patients who require additional support due to non-compliance with take-home medication.

Without Sonara’s Virtual Dosing Window, care teams have few ways to identify patients who may be misusing or diverting their take-home doses, which heightens the risk for patients and their communities.

The Cost Benefits of Hybrid Care Models for OUD Treatment

Daily, in-person visits also have significant financial implications for health plans — especially for patients in rural areas or places without a nearby clinic. In fact, 20% of all NEMT users under Medicaid have opioid use disorder (OUD), and 6% of all NEMT rides involve trips to OTPs. 

By equipping OTPs with the tools they need to deliver care remotely, Sonara dramatically reduces the need for NEMT, generating significant savings for health plans and state governments. 

In 2024, Sonara saved 100,998 trips to and from treatment centers. By eliminating excessive travel and providing patients with greater flexibility, Sonara creates a way to manage treatment alongside life’s demands.

For patients, this means no longer having to sacrifice work, family responsibilities, or personal growth to meet the demands of an OTP. For providers and payors, this means better retention rates, cost savings, and improved patient outcomes. 

To learn more about how partnering with Sonara can reduce costs, improve retention, and safely expand methadone access for your patients, contact us today.