Healthcare Provider Outreach and Education in Howard County
Offers providers and prescribers education through evidence-based information to support therapeutic decisions specific to pain management and substance use disorder to optimize clinical decisions and improve patient care. The goals are to improve opioid prescribing practices, increase clinician use of the PDMP, prevent overdose and prevent rampant access or reduce youth and adult access to prescription medications for non-medical purposes. For more information, please contact the provider education staff at: Provider_Ed@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-6202.
Who is this for: Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists and behavioral health providers who prescribe medications for opioid use disorder.
Changes to the federal "X-waiver" requirement
The federal “X-waiver” requirement to prescribe medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)—like Buprenorphine—was eliminated in 2023.
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The change came with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, signed on December 29, 2022, by Joe Biden - effective immediately upon enactment.
What does mean:
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Practitioners no longer need an X-waiver (DATA 2000 waiver) to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
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Any clinician who has a valid Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration and is authorized under Maryland state law can prescribe medications for opioid use disorder.
Requirements:
Effective June 27, 2023 new or renewing DEA registrants will be required to have 8 hours of training on opioid or other substance use disorders, as well as the safe pharmacological management of dental pain, through an accredited source. Training hours do not have to be completed in one session and can be satisfied through cumulative sessions.
Maryland offers comprehensive opioid training for healthcare providers through initiatives like the Maryland Addiction Consultation Service (MACS), OADPOP Academy, and the University of Maryland Extension. These programs provide free education on substance use disorders (SUD), medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), decreasing overdose risk, and naloxone administration to support clinical practice and community-based outreach. Key training and education opportunities include:
- Maryland Addiction Consultation Service (MACS): Funded by the MD Department of Health, MACS provides free education, training, and consultation for providers and pharmacists regarding SUD and chronic pain management, including MOUD training. HERE
- Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Program (OADPOP) Academy: A certified training program for Maryland's drug user health workforce, offering online and live training sessions to strengthen outreach capabilities. HERE
- Overdose Response Program (ORP): Local health departments offer free training on recognizing, responding to, and reversing opioid overdoses using intranasal naloxone.
- Maryland Reinforcing Overdose Prevention through Training and Advocacy (ROPTA): Offers free, evidence-based programs and training to address opioid misuse.
- Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS): Provides 8-hour SUD training and specialized modules (SUD for the Healthcare Team) that satisfy DEA requirements, including medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) training.
- Maryland State Medical Society (MedChi): Offers online education for treating acute/chronic pain and reducing opioid misuse for members.
- Maryland Pharmacists Association (MPhA): The MPhA is Maryland’s state-wide professional society representing all practicing pharmacists – and offers a
- Maryland State Dental Association (MSDA) – MSDA is the professional association for dentists in the state of Maryland, and a constituent of the American Dental Association. They offer training and educational opportunities on a variety of topics including opioids.
- The Dentist Well-Being Committee is a standing committee of the Maryland State Dental Association providing assistance to dentists experiencing personal problems, such as stress, drug dependence, alcoholism, depression, medical problems, neurological disorders, and other illnesses that cause impairment. Services are free to Maryland dentists and their families.
Hub and Spoke Program
A Hub and Spoke program is designed to support buprenorphine prescribers with serving individuals who have an opioid use disorder. The program facilitates the transfer of patient care between Hubs - substance use disorder treatment programs and Spokes - community-based opioid prescribers. The Hub and Spoke Care Coordinator provides support to physicians and other prescribers of opioid medication providers through the referral process. The care coordinator assists providers with accessing wrap around services that will improve the care provided to their patients through:
- Case management
- Referrals to clinical treatment services
- Transfer of patients back to your practice once treatment is complete
The Hub and Spoke can also offer patients access to other important recovery services, including:
- Insurance
- Peer support services
- Housing
- Transportation to medical appointments
For more information, email HubSpokeBH@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-6202.