Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based practice that combines pharmacological interventions with substance use disorder counseling and social support. Although not for everyone, it is an essential part of the comprehensive array of services available to people struggling with addiction to alcohol or other drugs. A paradox in our field is that although we recognize addiction as a chronic, relapsing disease, some substance use disorder counselors and administrators have been reluctant to embrace new technologies for its treatment. At the same time, most physicians and other health care professionals receive little or no training in the treatment of addiction. As a result, adoption of MAT has been slow in some areas. We hope to see Missouri’s treatment providers educate their staff and consumers about the complete array of treatment options available to them.
Opioid SOR Provider Implementation Guide
This guide for DMH providers (includes CIMOR procedures and data reporting is intended to help providers deliver treatment and supportive services to individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) under the State Opioid Response Grant (Opioid SOR). DMH and the Opioid SOR team have developed this Provider Implementation Guide to outline clear and consistent guidance with step-by-step clinical and administrative instructions on grant utilization.
This guide is divided into multiple sections, as many provider staff are involved in the consumer experience and the billing process and have distinct roles. These sections include the following:
- General Overview of Grant and Grant Requirements
- Important Points to Remember
- Clinical Guide for Intake and Psychosocial Supportive Services
- Clinical Guide for Medical Treatment of OUD
- Customer Information Management, Outcomes and Reporting (CIMOR) Procedures for Client Admission, Enrollment, and Billing
- Guide for Data Reporting
SUD-Approved Medications List
The SUD-Approved Medication List identifies the medications currently approved for reimbursement to contracted providers by the Division of Behavioral Health (DBH). Treatment providers are referred to their contracts for other requirements associated with the use of, and reimbursement for, medications used in the treatment of substance use disorders.
MO HealthNet Division Links
Some medications on the DBH-approved medication list may be subject to prior authorization criteria utilized by the MO HealthNet formulary via the clinical edit process.
MAT Links
- Besse Medical
For information about a specialty distribution program for Vivitrol. - Beyond Rock Bottom: Medication Assisted Treatment
View a brief animated video on the rationale for Medication Assisted Treatment. - Follow Directions: How to Use Methadone Safely Brochure
- Medication Assisted Treatment: Where Are We Now
DBH News Bulletin (April 2016) - Medication Assisted Treatment Infographic
Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is one of the most effective forms of therapy for substance use disorders but is widely misunderstood. View the National Council's new one-page infographic to separate fact from fiction. - "Know Your Rights" Brochure for Individuals in Medication-Assisted Treatment
Individuals in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) often face discrimination despite laws that plainly prohibit it. This discrimination is largely due to lack of knowledge about MAT’s value, effectiveness and safety, and a lack of knowledge about the anti-discrimination laws that protect people in MAT. The "Medication-Assisted Treatment Know Your Rights Brochure" (21pp, PDF, 415KB) presents and explains the Federal laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities and how they protect people receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorder. This brochure aims to reduce discrimination by giving people in MAT (and their advocates) basic information necessary to exercise their rights or, at a minimum, know where to turn for help. It also seeks to reduce discrimination by educating those who might discriminate (e.g., employers, housing providers, and government agencies) about such laws, as well as about MAT itself. - NIATx: Getting Started with Medication-Assisted Treatment
This resource highlights lessons that emerged from the Advancing Recovery (AR) project. The summary of the AR Missouri project offers the field a great implementation tool, along with strategies for finding funding for MAT. - Substance Use: Medication Assisted Treatment Resources (Legal Action Center)
The Legal Action Center’s website offers publications and webinars/videos pertaining to Medication Assisted Treatment. Popular publications include (1) “Legality of Denying Access to Medication Assisted Treatment in the Criminal Justice System,” a report that explains why criminal justice agencies violate federal anti-discrimination laws and the U.S. Constitution when they deny access to medication to treat opioid use disorder; (2) “Advocating for Your Recovery: What to do When Ordered Off Medication,” which explains how people in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, their treatment programs and advocates, can advocate to get in or stay in the treatment they need; and (3) Confronting an Epidemic: The Case for Expanding Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment to Address the Heroin and Opioid Epidemic.” - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
A federal agency, SAMHSA is charged with improving the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services in order to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illnesses. This link is to the Division of Pharmacologic Therapies, SAMHSA's site for information on medication assisted treatment. - Suboxone
Site administered by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals. Offers prescribing information, physician certification information, as well as, patient and professional resources. - Vivitrol
Site administered by Alkermes. Offers prescribing information, recovery support resources and provider support resources, as well as, a provider locator.