CMS Finalizes Plan on ESSENTIAL Community Providers
The Biden-Harris Administration has made expanding access to behavioral health care and as part of that effort, the proposed rule includes two new major essential community provider categories: Substance Use Treatment Centers and Mental Health Facilities. CMS is...
Partners to Receive Opioid Settlement Funds
New York Attorney General Letitia James has reached settlements totaling over $1.6 billion with companies involved in manufacturing, distributing, and selling opioids. These funds will be directed toward New York communities for treatment, recovery, and prevention...
Seven Valleys Health Coalition Awarded Funding
The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York has awarded $75,000.00 to six rural health networks, including our partner, Seven Valley’s Health Coalition! The monies awarded will be used for programming to assist the maternal health needs of migrant farm...
Findings on Largest Genetic Study on Substance Use Disorders Released
“Substance use disorders and mental disorders often co-occur, and we know that the most effective treatments help people address both issues at the same time. The shared genetic mechanisms between substance use and mental disorders revealed in this study underscore the importance of thinking about these disorders in tandem,” said NIMH Director Joshua A. Gordon, M.D., Ph.D.
FDA approves Narcan for Over-the-Counter Use
The news today allows anyone, in any state, to purchase Narcan at their local CVS or Walgreens. But will the cost of the OTC Narcan be a barrier to getting the Narcan out where it needs to be – in the pockets of the average person? Narcan saves lives, but only for...
A State-of-the-Art Open-Access Detox Center Opens in Ithaca!
“We are coming from a place of healing and trust and openness, and if policies or our procedures need to change, we’ll change.”
End of Pandemic and OMH Waivers
The U.S. government has announced that the Public Health Emergency (PH) will expire at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. On the date the PHE ends, the flexibility afforded providers regarding minimum billing standards and documentation requirements will end, unless...
New York State Receives $2 Billion in Opioid Settlement Funds
New York State received more than $2 billion through various settlement agreements with opioid manufacturers. These funds for NY State are just a small part of the $26 Billion settlement paid to 46 states in total. In general, how this money will be spent to pay a...
Prescribing Limitations on buprenorphine Removed
Elimination of the DEA X Waiver to Prescribe Buprenorphine, The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 signed into law by President Biden on December 29, 2022, has amended the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and enacted important changes in the medical treatment of...
To Mask or Not to Mask?
How New York State Adapts to Changing CDC Guidance Amid COVID-19 Variants With NY State ending the mask mandate on February 12, 2023, some health experts suggest that providers should continue to wear masks and encourage their patients to do so, especially if they are...