AFMC : A CLOSER LOOK AT QUALITY
Learn more about the Medication-Assisted Treatment program and become a MAT provider
Contact your AFMC provider relations outreach specialist at afmc . org / providerrelations
by eliminating barriers and treating the “ whole person .” The updates to the Medicaid program ensure comprehensive services are being offered . Some of the updates when providing MAT services include :
• Primary Care Physician referral is not required as long as the services are rendered by an X-DEA waivered provider
• The Medicaid service limit of 12 physician visits per year is waived
• The $ 500 lab / x-ray limit is waived
• Related medications will not be subject to a co-pay and will not count towards the beneficiaries ’ prescription limit
The FDA approved prescriptions are now listed on the preferred drug list . This program applies only to prescribers of FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of OUD and will not be reimbursed for the practice of pain management . Please refer to the Medicaid physician manual for more details regarding the billing of services .
By providing MAT for opioid use disorder in a primary care setting , it allows the primary care provider a better opportunity to help the beneficiary manage their overall healthcare . Referring to a specialist and depending on feedback from the specialist is eliminated . It also allows the patient more comfort and privacy as to the reason for their clinic visit than if they received treatment from another provider in a substance abuse treatment facility .
The overall goal of MAT is recovery . Providers who are interested in becoming a MAT provider or need additional information about integrating services into their offices , please contact your AFMC provider relations outreach specialist by visiting afmc . org / providerrelations or emailing providerrelations @ afmc . org . s
Kellie Cornelius is a provider relations outreach specialist and team lead at AFMC .
Carla Hestir is a provider relations outreach specialist at AFMC .
REFERENCES :
1 . SAMHSA - https :// www . samhsa . gov / medication-assisted-treatment
2 . CDC - https :// www . cdc . gov / drugoverdose / opioids / terms . html
3 . National Institute of Drug Abuse - https :// www . drugabuse . gov / drug-topics / opioids / opioid-summaries-by-state / arkansas-opioidinvolved-deaths-related-harms
AFMC WORKS COLLABORATIVELY WITH PROVIDERS ,
Sheryl Hurt is the director of Outreach
COMMUNITY GROUPS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO
Services at AFMC .
PROMOTE THE QUALITY OF CARE IN ARKANSAS THROUGH EDUCATION AND EVALUATION . FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT AFMC QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS , CALL 1-877-375-5700 OR VISIT AFMC . ORG . JANUARY 2021
Volume 117 • Number 7 JANUARY 2021 • 157