Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
Medications for Opioid Use Disorders (MOUD) involve a combination of medications that targets the brain, and psychosocial interventions (e.g., counseling, skills development) aimed at improving treatment outcomes. Research shows that medications and therapy together may be more successful than either treatment method alone. More from PCSS.
Buprenorphine is one of three medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of opioid use disorder. MACS’ team of expert addiction medicine specialists provide trainings for Maryland prescribers on best practices for administering buprenorphine and applying for their waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. We also provide technical assistance support for prescribers and their practices to grow office-based services for opioid use disorders.
New practice guidelines from the Department of Health and Human services make providing life-saving treatment for opioid use disorder easier.
The waiver training previously required to obtain the buprenorphine waiver is now:
- Optional for eligible prescribers treating 30 patients or less.
- Required for eligible prescribers treating more than 30 patients
Steps to Obtain your Waiver
- Check your eligibility
- Take the waiver course: MACS upcoming waiver trainings
Note: The course is optional for prescribers treating 30 patients or less – see new HHS practice guidelines - Submit your Notification of Intent (NOI) form and Certificates of Completion
- Call 1-855-337-MACS for questions about understanding and implementing the new guidelines into your practice
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) and Physician Assistants (PA) complete 24 hours of training including the 8 hour waiver training.
Physicians
Physicians complete 8 hours of training to apply to the Drug Enforcement Agency for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine.
Applying for Waiver
To receive a waiver to provide treatment for opioid use disorder with approved buprenorphine medications, a provider must notify the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) of their intent to practice this form of treatment. The notification of intent must be submitted to CSAT and before the initial dispensing or prescribing of opioid treatment. If treating more than 30 patients, the NOI must be submitted after completing the required waiver training.
SAMHSA's Waiver Application
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
The PDMP monitors dispensed drugs that contain controlled dangerous substances. The goal of the PDMP is to assist medical, pharmacy, and public health professionals in the identification and prevention of prescription drug misuse. It also promotes a balanced use of prescription data that preserves the professional practice of healthcare providers and legitimate access to optimal pharmaceutical care.
https://health.maryland.gov/pdmp/Pages/Home.aspx
Additional Training Resources
The Maryland Addiction Consultation Service is administered by the University of Maryland School of Medicine and funded by the Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration.