The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108-4619
CHARLES D. BAKER

MARYLOU SUDDERS
Secretary

MONICA BHAREL, MD, MPH

Commissioner
Tel: 617-624-6000
www.mass.gov/dph

Governor

KARYN E. POLITO
Lieutenant Governor

To:
From:
Date:
Re:

BSAS Providers
Lydie Ultimo, Director of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services
July 28, 2015
Timely Access to Treatment for Individuals with an Opioid Use Disorder with
Medication Assisted Treatment

As you know, Massachusetts is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic. Governor Baker,
Secretary Sudders, Commissioner Bharel and the Legislature have prioritized efforts and
resources to stem the tide of opioid overdose deaths.1 To that end, BSAS wants to ensure that
individuals with an opioid use disorder have timely access to the full continuum of treatment and
recovery oriented services.
Many of you have integrated medication assisted treatment (MAT) as evidence based practice
into your treatment services. Resources, such as the Practice Guidance on Integrating
Medication into Behavioral Treatment and Pregnancy and Medication Assisted Treatment2,
AdCare3 and PRAXIS4 training sessions, SAMHSA publications5 and Legal Action Center
resources6 are available to assist you and your staff members in acquiring the knowledge and
tools for integrating MAT into treatment. BSAS will continue to send out alerts about new
initiatives or resources to support you and can serve as a resource as you integrate MAT into
your practice.
BSAS regulations prohibit the denial of admission based on an individuals use of medications
prescribed by a physician outside of the licensees service or agency.7 Compliance with this
regulation is required and will be addressed during BSAS licensing inspection visits. Complaints
regarding non-compliance will be investigated promptly. Client rights and the phone number for
the BSAS complaint line (617-624-5171), should be prominently posted and easily accessible to
all. Non-compliance with this regulatory requirement will be taken very seriously and could
result in revocation of your license.
BSAS is happy to assist you with any questions or concerns. Please contact Jayne Wilson,
Jayne.b.wilson@state.ma.us, or Erica Piedade, Erica.piedade@state.ma.us, with such questions
or concerns. Our efforts to ensure that individuals receive timely access to the full continuum of
care for a substance use disorder will reduce the number of opioid related deaths and will
increase the number of individuals engaged in recovery. Recovery works, let us do our part!
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Action Plan to Address the Opioid Epidemic in the Commonwealth, June 22, 2015 (www.mass.gov/stopaddiction)
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/substance-abuse/providers/program-licensing/principles-of-careand-practice-guidance.html
http://www.adcare-educational.org/
PRAXIS, Center for Social Innovation (www.center4si.com)
http://search.usa.gov/search/docs?affiliate=samhsa-store&dc=1415&query=medication%20assisted%20treatment
http://lac.org/resources/substance-use-resources/medication-assisted-treatment-resources/
105 CMR 164.070(G)