Increase Access to Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

MOUD is a pharmacological treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Agonist drugs, such as methadone and buprenorphine, activate opioid receptors in the brain that prevents painful withdrawal symptoms without causing euphoria and naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids. MOUD provides stability for individuals to achieve healthy social, psychological, and lifestyle changes. If you’re seeking treatment, call the Riverside CARES Line at 1 (800) 499-3008 or visit ChooseChangeCA.org.

Initiating Buprenorphine-based MOUD in Emergency Departments

• Patients receiving care in the ED who have untreated OUD are referred to a provider for long-term buprenorphine-based MOUD. Meanwhile, they receive a short-term prescription as they await their appointment with the new provider, eliminating delays in care.

Remove "Prior-Authorization" Requirements

• Usually, a physician contacts the insurance provider for approval before prescribing MOUD. In this case, a patient would have to return several days later to start treatment. However, removing this requirement would allow treatment to begin the same day patients see their doctor, immediately reducing the risk of overdose and increasing the likelihood that they’ll remain in treatment.

MOUD in Criminal Justice Settings & Upon Release

• Providing MOUD in jails/prisons not only increases the likelihood that incarcerated individuals will continue treatment, but also decreases the possibility of relapse, problem opioid use, and risky opioid use after release.