Access to Care – Buprenorphine Providers
Buprenorphine is the first medication to treat opioid dependency that is permitted to be prescribed or dispensed in physician offices, significantly increasing treatment access. Qualified physicians are required to acquire and maintain certifications to legally dispense or prescribe opioid dependency medications. This indicator shows the number of providers authorized to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine based on the latest available data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Source
Source Description
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. SAMHSA maintains data about substance abuse and mental health treatment facilities and providers, including physicians certified to prescribe buprenorphine.
SAMHSA evaluates the buprenorphine waiver program under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) and tracks the number of DATA-certified practitioners. The Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) expands the clinical context of medication-assisted opioid dependency treatment. Qualified physicians are permitted to dispense or prescribe specifically approved Schedule III, IV, and V narcotic medications (medications that have a lower risk for abuse, like buprenorphine) in settings other than an opioid treatment program (OTP) such as a methadone clinic. Physicians are also required to complete buprenorphine training and provide their training certificate after completing the Waiver Notification Form. SAMHSA maintains a database of physicians certified to prescribe buprenorphine.
Methodology
Data is obtained from the SAMHSA Buprenorphine Treatment Practitioner Locator, a directory of physicians certified to provide buprenorphine treatment. Data is current as of October, 2023.
Note: The SAMHSA locator lists only those physicians who wish to be identified through the locator, and may not represent all physicians who are certified.
Data Breakouts Available
- Buprenorphine Providers
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