New federal opioids law will help ease Billings treatment provider's wait list -- in a year
Billings GazetteNov 02, 2018
On
The law allows nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe buprenorphine, a drug that helps ease withdrawal symptoms. Proponents say this will help expand access to treatment, especially in rural areas.
It adds methadone -- which curbs drug cravings -- to the list of prescriptions covered by Medicare so that older patients with opioid addictions can get help.
For
The federal restriction dates back to 1965 and, according to Rimrock CEO
Until now, states have had to apply for a federal waiver on the 16-bed limit -- a process that can take up to a year.
The new law allows state Medicaid programs to bill the federal government through fiscal year 2023 for Medicaid patients aged 21 to 64 to be treated at facilities like Rimrock, but only for 30 days within a 12-month period.
But the changes don't kick in until
The state health department also welcomed the new legislation, but said its ability to benefit
"We are excited about the legislation and are eagerly awaiting federal guidance, but without Medicaid expansion, the change will not help
There were roughly 40,000 Montanans covered by Medicaid during the first month of expansion, according to a recent report by the
While opioids have caused 1,334 overdose deaths in
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