TY - JOUR
KW - Adult
KW - Ambulatory Care/economics
KW - Analgesics, Opioid/economics/therapeutic use
KW - Appalachian Region
KW - Buprenorphine/economics/therapeutic use
KW - Drug Tapering/economics/methods
KW - Female
KW - Follow-Up Studies
KW - Hospitals, Proprietary
KW - Humans
KW - Opiate Substitution Treatment/economics/methods
KW - Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy/economics
KW - Pregnancy
KW - Pregnancy Complications/drug therapy/economics
KW - Substance Abuse Treatment Centers/economics
KW - Tennessee
AU - H. D. Holt
AU - M. Olsen
A1 - 
AB - OBJECTIVES: This study is a follow-up to previous research regarding buprenorphine medication-assisted therapy (MAT) in Johnson City, Tennessee. For-profit MAT clinics were surveyed to determine changes in tapering practice patterns and insurance coverage during the last 3 years. METHODS: Johnson City for-profit MAT clinics; also called office based opioid treatment centers, were surveyed by telephone. Clinic representatives were asked questions regarding patient costs for therapy, insurance coverage, counseling offered onsite, and opportunities for tapering while pregnant. RESULTS: All of the MAT clinics representatives indicated that tapering in pregnancy could be considered even though tapering in pregnancy is contrary to current national guidelines. Forty-three percent of the clinics now accept insurance as compared with 0% in the 2016 study. The average weekly cost per visit remained consistent. CONCLUSIONS: The concept of tapering buprenorphine during pregnancy appears to have become a standard of care for this community, as representatives state it is offered at all of the clinics that were contacted. Representatives from three clinics stated the clinics require tapering, even though national organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society of Addiction Medicine do not recommend this approach. Although patients who have government or other insurance are now able to obtain buprenorphine with no expense at numerous clinics, the high cost for uninsured patients continues to create an environment conducive to buprenorphine diversion.
AD - From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, East Tennessee State University College of Medicine, Johnson City.; From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, East Tennessee State University College of Medicine, Johnson City.
BT - Southern medical journal
C5 - Education & Workforce; Financing & Sustainability; Healthcare Disparities; Opioids & Substance Use
CP - 2
CY - United States
DO - 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000001209
IS - 2
JF - Southern medical journal
LA - eng
M1 - Journal Article
N2 - OBJECTIVES: This study is a follow-up to previous research regarding buprenorphine medication-assisted therapy (MAT) in Johnson City, Tennessee. For-profit MAT clinics were surveyed to determine changes in tapering practice patterns and insurance coverage during the last 3 years. METHODS: Johnson City for-profit MAT clinics; also called office based opioid treatment centers, were surveyed by telephone. Clinic representatives were asked questions regarding patient costs for therapy, insurance coverage, counseling offered onsite, and opportunities for tapering while pregnant. RESULTS: All of the MAT clinics representatives indicated that tapering in pregnancy could be considered even though tapering in pregnancy is contrary to current national guidelines. Forty-three percent of the clinics now accept insurance as compared with 0% in the 2016 study. The average weekly cost per visit remained consistent. CONCLUSIONS: The concept of tapering buprenorphine during pregnancy appears to have become a standard of care for this community, as representatives state it is offered at all of the clinics that were contacted. Representatives from three clinics stated the clinics require tapering, even though national organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society of Addiction Medicine do not recommend this approach. Although patients who have government or other insurance are now able to obtain buprenorphine with no expense at numerous clinics, the high cost for uninsured patients continues to create an environment conducive to buprenorphine diversion.
PP - United States
PY - 2021
SN - 1541-8243; 0038-4348
SP - 70
EP - 72
EP - 
T1 - Changes in For-Profit Medication-Assisted Therapy Clinics in an Appalachian City
T2 - Southern medical journal
TI - Changes in For-Profit Medication-Assisted Therapy Clinics in an Appalachian City
U1 - Education & Workforce; Financing & Sustainability; Healthcare Disparities; Opioids & Substance Use
U2 - 33537785
U3 - 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000001209
VL - 114
VO - 1541-8243; 0038-4348
Y1 - 2021
Y2 - Feb
ER -