How to Find Medicaid-Accepting Suboxone Doctors Near You

Studies show that medication-assisted treatment — with drugs like Suboxone — can reduce the risk of opioid overdose by 50%. They also help users avoid criminal activities and increase their chances of holding down a job.

Unfortunately, despite its benefits, not everyone can afford MAT. This is because costs can sometimes exceed 500 USD per month depending on the medication and the number of physician visits. Luckily, Medicaid is a state-run health insurance plan that can help.

Like many others, you, too, may be wondering, "where can I find Suboxone doctors near me that accept Medicaid?" But this isn't as straightforward as it sounds. Research shows one of the major barriers to treatment is finding Suboxone doctors due to logistical and regulatory requirements.

This guide describes the step-by-step process to find the best Suboxone prescribers that accept Medicaid. Read on to learn more.

Does Medicaid pay for Suboxone?

Medicaid provides Suboxone coverage for treating opioid use disorder (OUD). According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the healthcare insurance plan covers the cost of:

• Medication
• Counseling services
• Behavioral therapy

However, you must be aware of the program's limitations and additional specifications. These vary between states and include:

• Medicaid only covers MAT costs if doctors deem it “medically necessary," i.e., if it's needed for your health condition and meets the standards of good medical practice in your state.
• In over 16 states, Medicaid requires you to receive counseling before you're eligible for Suboxone coverage.
• Many Medicaid programs cap the daily dose you can receive between 16 to 32 mg maximum.
• In some instances, your healthcare provider will need to get prior Medicaid authorization before prescribing Suboxone.

If you don’t meet or comply with Medicaid's requirements coverage will not be available.

Who is Eligible for Medicaid Coverage?

Medicaid provides medical coverage to:

• Individuals or families with a pre-defined low income (this varies between states)
• Children
• Pregnant women
• Individuals aged 65 or over

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How to Find the Best Suboxone Doctors That Accept Medicaid?

Here we outline four strategies to help you find Suboxone providers that accept Medicaid.

1. SAMHSA Treatment Locator

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) is a US federal government department that works under the Health and Human Services (HHS). The agency works to help individuals with substance use disorders and mental illnesses.

The SAMHSA website includes a list of Suboxone doctors that accept Medicaid. To locate it, search for “SAMHSA treatment locator” on Google, and select the first result. Or click the following link https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/locator#

Once you're on the treatment locator page, follow these steps to find Suboxone doctors near you that accept Medicaid:

• Step 1: Tap or click on the SAMHSA Locator search bar and type your zip code. You'll see options appearing in the dropdown list as you type your zip code. Select the one with your town and press "select facility."
• Step 2: Check the service "Substance use" by clicking on the arrow.
• Step 3: You'll find another search bar under the red facility services selection button. Type "Medicaid" into it and check the Medicaid option that appears. 
• Step 4: In the same search bar, type 'outpatient' and select the option "outpatient methadone/buprenorphine or naltrexone treatment."
• Step 5: Within the same search bar, type "prescribe" and select the option "prescribes buprenorphine" when it appears.

If you have followed the steps correctly, you'll now be able to see all the Suboxone doctors near you that accept Medicaid, along with their location and phone numbers.

We recommend calling providers that catch your attention to verify their information. To assess them, we suggest asking the following questions:

• Do you prescribe Suboxone?
• Is this an outpatient facility?
• Do you accept Medicaid for Suboxone?
• How much will this cost?
• What are your work timings?
• How can I book an appointment?

2. Ask Your Primary Care Doctor For A Recommendation

Doctors have hundreds of healthcare professionals in their network, specializing in different fields. Thus an effective way of finding suboxone doctors that accept Medicaid is to ask your primary care physician about them.

3. Call Your Insurance Provider

Another way of finding Suboxone doctors that accept Medicaid is to call your healthcare insurance company. They should be able to provide you with a list. You can find the number of the insurance company on the back of your Medicaid insurance card.

4. Explore Suboxone Doctors Online On Confidant Health

Confidant Health, with its virtual service providers, has made access to Suboxone easier than ever before. It breaks down geographical barriers by providing top-class care at the press of a button. You can find the best Suboxone doctors online at Confidant Health. While we don’t accept Medicaid today we do provide flexible pricing options where you can get care for as little as $1.

Is It Hard To Get a Prescription for Suboxone?

With the New Suboxone laws {Insert link here when article ready} getting a Suboxone prescription is easier than ever before. This is because of two main changes:

1. Changes in US Clinician Waivers

Registered physicians no longer need to complete an 8-hour training program to be able to prescribe Suboxone. This is a significant step that increases the number of providers that can prescribe Suboxone.

However, please note all providers will still need to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) and can only treat up to 30 OUD patients at a time as per the previous guidelines.

2. Counseling is no longer a prerequisite

The new Suboxone laws exempt providers from having to refer patients to counseling before being able to prescribe Suboxone. This significantly decreases the delay in starting MAT, which can be life-saving.

Can a Family Doctor Prescribe Suboxone?

A family doctor can prescribe Suboxone if they comply with the new HHS practice guidelines (effective April 28, 2021). According to these guidelines, all of the following can prescribe Suboxone:

• State-licensed and DEA-registered physicians
• Physician assistants
• Nurse practitioners
• Clinical nurse specialists
• Certified registered nurse anesthetists
• Certified nurse-midwives

Can Suboxone be Prescribed via Telemedicine?

The DEA allows telemedicine to prescribe schedule III, IV, and V drugs. Since Suboxone is a schedule III medication, virtual providers can prescribe it. Schedule III treatments have a lower dependency potential than schedule II drugs but are more addictive than schedule IV medications.

For more details on how to buy Suboxone online, visit: (link to the published)

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How Do I Get Subutex?

Subutex is another medication — containing buprenorphine — FDA-approved for OUD. You can get Subutex via one of two paths:

1. In-person:

To get Subutex in person, follow these steps:

• Find a qualified doctor using the SAMHSA treatment locator.
• Book an appointment with them and talk to them about your health and treatment goals.
• If you're eligible for Subutex, the qualified provider will prescribe it, and you'll be able to obtain the medication from any pharmacy that accepts Medicaid. Examples of such pharmacies include CVS, Safeway, Walgreens, and Harris Teeter.

2. Online:

To get Suboxone online:

• Speak to one of Confidant Health's licensed providers by booking an online appointment. You can freely discuss your concerns during the meeting. Rest assured all your information will remain confidential.
• Our experts will prescribe Subutex if they consider it medically necessary.
• Finally, you can pick up the medication with your prescription from any pharmacy that accepts Medicaid.

Consult Confidant’s Online Suboxone Doctors

If you are looking for Suboxone doctors that can provide medication-assisted treatments for OUD, look no further than the Virtual Suboxone Clinic at Confidant Health.

At Confidant, we provide you access to healthcare providers and counselors at your convenience. Our goal is to offer counseling and e-prescription drugs so you can accomplish your recovery milestones, no matter how big or small.

So reach out to us, and we’ll help you get what you need.

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