RFA - Substance Abuse Consultation/Behavioral Integration with Primary Care for Substance Abuse – Maryland Addiction Consultation Services (MACS)

This service will promote and provide informed choices regarding the use of buprenorphine through systemic public awareness, provision of a telephone consultation service, training and education, technical assistance to, and maintenance of a system to support buprenorphine expansion services within the behavioral health care system, and data collection. It will do so by working closely with appropriate stakeholders and bringing together experts from a variety of disciplines including behavioral health, medicine, public awareness, and others. The service will be available in all 24 jurisdictions, virtuality and in-person. This service will aim to address disparities in prescribing buprenorphine which is crucial for promoting equitable access to effective care. Disparities may arise due to various factors, including stigma, lack of education, and systemic issues. Disparities may be addressed by increasing utilization of telemedicine to expand access to buprenorphine treatment, especially in underserved areas where there may be a shortage of healthcare providers. Other activities can include targeting underserved areas with outreach to healthcare providers to encourage, train, and provide technical assistance to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorders to patients in their practice.

Procurement Program Participation Goals