Activity Description
Complete any required training and obtain or renew an approved waiver for provision of medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorders using buprenorphine. Note: This activity may be selected once for low-capacity waivers, as these do not expire, and once every 3 years for the expanded waiver, in keeping with renewal requirements.
| Activity ID | Activity Weighting | Sub-Category Name |
|---|---|---|
| IA_BMH_13 | Medium | Behavioral and Mental Health |
Objective & Validation Documentation
Objective : Improve access to treatment for opioid use disorder by increasing the number of providers authorized to prescribe buprenorphine.
Validation Documentation: Evidence of obtaining the approved waiver for provision of medication assisted treatment of opioid use disorders using buprenorphine. Include the following element:
1) Waiver – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) letter confirming presence of waiver and eligible clinician prescribing ID number.
Example (s): A primary care physician completed the buprenorphine waiver documentation, allowing her to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder to up to 30 patients.
Information:
• This SAMHSA website explains how to become a buprenorphine waivered practitioner to treat opioid use disorder, with links to practice guidelines, optional training materials, and forms to file to request a waiver. “Become a Buprenorphine Waivered Practitioner.” (https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/become-buprenorphine-waivered-practitioner)
• This expert review in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reviews updated guidelines for obtaining a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. Training is no longer mandatory for some providers intending to prescribe for fewer than 30 patients. Cleary, E. M., Smid, M. C., Charles, J. E., Jones, K. M., Costantine, M. M., Saade, G., & Rood, K. M. (2021). Buprenorphine x-waiver exemption – beyond the basics for the obstetrical provider. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3(6), 100451. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100451)