What Do SAMHSA’s New Rules Mean for OTPs and their Patients?
Now that SAMHSA has issued its final rule on “Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder,” it’s up to opioid treatment programs to determine the best next steps for implementing these new guidelines.
This is the largest update to OTP treatment standards in more than 50 years, and it represents a significant increase in focus on patient-centered care.
At Sonara Health, we believe these updates will not only improve patient outcomes, but also empower providers to make informed decisions for meeting their individual patients’ needs. We also recognize that this is a significant transition, and we want to provide OTPs with the support they need.
In this article, we’ll examine the most significant changes in SAMHSA guidelines, explain why they’re so important, and share practical steps you can take to navigate this transition.
What’s Changing with the Final Rule?
The final rule includes a variety of updates focused on removing stigmatizing language, supporting a more patient-centered approach, and decreasing barriers to accessing care.
Some of the most notable changes include:
Making the COVID-19 take-home flexibilities permanent
Allowing providers to issue take-homes during the first week of treatment (under certain conditions)
Eliminating the requirement of one year of opioid addiction before entering treatment
Prioritizing treatment for pregnant individuals and reducing treatment barriers for people under 18
Encouraging shared decision making between patients and providers
For a more in-depth examination of the changes included in the final rule, review this chart from SAMHSA.
Supporting OTPs through the Final Rule Changes
At Sonara Health, we’re thrilled to see SAMHSA take this important step toward increasing access to care and promoting a whole-person approach to treatment.
We also know that increasing take-home flexibilities does not guarantee that more take-homes will be issued. In one study, half of all prescribers chose not to increase take-home flexibilities when they had the ability to do so.
We’ve found that this hesitancy is rooted in a lack of trust between providers and patients, and we’re here to change that.
Sonara’s solution strengthens the provider-patient relationship by giving providers a window into their patients’ at-home dosing. Our web-based application allows patients to remotely record their methadone doses for their care teams to review.
And with this increased visibility, providers can feel confident issuing more take-homes, making it easier for their patients to succeed at treatment and reducing the need for daily trips to the clinic.
Why it Matters
When considering the impact of these changes, we think SAMHSA said it best:
“These changes are about respect, trust, understanding, and compassion. Trusting that you understand what you need, while highly skilled OTP practitioners respect your values, needs, and preferences. The revised rules allow them to provide you with the best care available. They balance the need for responsive patient care with responsible ways to make sure you’re getting good care, all while providing you with consistency, humanity, support, and empowerment through your recovery journey.”
Our team at Sonara is perfectly aligned with this mission, and we’re committed to giving OTPs the tools they need to put this into practice.
To learn more about our solution, or to discuss how remote observation can support your OTP’s strategy for implementing the final rule, reach out to our team here.
