Services

^NEW Telemedicine Admissions

SAMHSA’s Final Rule Changes to 42 CFR Part 8, which were enacted April 2, 2024 (§8.12, paragraph f (2)) allow a patient’s initial medical examination for admission to an OTP to be conducted in 2 parts:

1. A screening evaluation to ensure that the patient meets criteria for admission and that there are no contraindications to treatment with MOUD; and
2. A full history and examination.

Screening evaluations may be completed via audio-visual telehealth services. After this telehealth service is completed, a patient may begin receiving medication from an OTP until they are able to schedule their in-person evaluation. With these changes, telehealth can finally be used to lower barriers to MOUD treatment and allow patients to begin life-saving medication quickly, without having to wait for the long and onerous admissions process.

Consulting OMT is at the forefront of this change. We are able to perform telemedicine screening examinations for MOUD patients during afternoon and evening hours, when most OTPs are closed. These examinations would be done by a licensed and experienced addiction medicine physician assistant, supervised by a physician board certified in addiction medicine. The examination would then be forwarded to your program, via secure fax or email, for your provider to review and use as a basis for ordering initial medication. The patient would then schedule a date and time to complete the remainder of their full history and physical with your staff.

This process can significantly increase your facility’s admissions without increasing your staffing needs.

^NEW ASAM Criteria, 4th edition

Consulting OMT staff are trained on the newest iteration of the ASAM criteria, and can help you integrate this into your documentation at all levels of your organization.

^NEW Policy & Procedure Manual Creation

Starting from scratch, or following a thorough evaluation of your organization’s current P&P manual, Consulting OMT will create a new or updated policy and procedure manual for your facility. This document will be tailored to your needs and capabilities, compliant with all state and federal regulations, consistent with SAMHSA’s new Final Rule, and representing best practices for your facility. After new or revised policies are approved by your leadership, Consulting OMT will work with you to roll these out and train your staff.

Evaluation

A comprehensive facility evaluation with specific recommendations via an individualized plan – this might require several days of on-site evaluations/observations/interviews depending on the size of the facility.

Education Plan

A specifically tailored educational plan to meet your facility’s individual needs regarding a targeted issue or audience. These could be designed to meet needs identified in a comprehensive facility evaluation or after just a brief discussion with the business owner if they are able to identify the specific issues and areas of need.

Guest Speaker Presentations

In-person presentations are also available including one or more components of the Consulting OMT Education Series. This can include general presentations at your facility or event.

Buprenorphine Prescriber Beginner/Master Classes

Many problems occur in buprenorphine maintenance treatment when patients and prescribers have different priorities and different expectations. Providers often feel that they need to exert maximal control over their patients and their medication, as they are prescribing controlled substances and are under regulatory scrutiny. Many patients will do very well on buprenorphine treatment but may not comply with strict provider requirements that they feel do not work for them. Conflicts over these issues often result in frustration and burnout of providers, and frustration and drop out of patients. A better understanding of the nature of the diseases of opioid dependence and addiction, treatment goals, the significant safety profile of buprenorphine, and the typical behaviors that are characteristic of many addiction patients, can help providers develop a more effective, successful, profitable, and rewarding practice.