On Methadone in Arizona

Patient Information: Receiving Methadone for Opioid Use Disorder in Arizona

You may have heard that as of June 16, people can no longer get multiday methadone doses (“take homes”) at the maximum level allowed during COVID (28 days for people who are stable and 14 days for people who are less stable). This is not true.

The information below is approved by Arizona’s State Opioid Treatment Authority, or SOTA. Providers can reach out to them directly for clarification.

1. Multiday take homes are not ending. Access to multiday methadone dosing in Arizona after June 16 is still possible if providers use the “Extranet” to submit the request. This is for people currently receiving them and any new requests. (24-hour approval turn around)
2. Arizona needs evidence to assure provider accountability. Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) will use Extranet data to demonstrate accountability, as we await new (and more) patient-centered federal regulations.
3. Use of the Extranet request form is easy. Providers use it all the time. They can even use a template if they are continuing this practice with a particular patient.
4. Contact AHCCCS if you are not getting what you need. Email GrantsManagement@azahcccs.gov and put “SOTA” in subject line, or if you are an AHCCCS member, call 602-364-4558 to speak to a clinical issue resolution specialist. You can also contact your AHCCCS managed care organization directly and report the issue.

We care about your health.

Provider Information: Treating Methadone Patients for Opioid Use Disorder in Arizona

Pursuant to a May 24 letter from the State Opioid Treatment Authority (SOTA) to all Arizona Opioid Treatment Programs and Managed Care Organizations, after June 16 providers must use the Extranet to request the COVID-allowed levels of multiday methadone dosing (28 days for people who are stable and 14 days for people who are less stable). This means that you can continue to provide multiday dosing for patients.

The information below is approved by Arizona’s SOTA. Your patients should also
have this information.

1. Multiday take homes are not ending. Access to multiday methadone dosing in Arizona after June 16 is still possible if you use the “Extranet” to submit the request for patients currently receiving them AND any new requests. (24-hour approval turn around)
2. Arizona needs evidence to assure provider accountability. AHCCCS will use Extranet data to demonstrate accountability, as we await new (and more) patient-centered federal regulations.
3. Use of the Extranet request form is EASY. SOTA will permit the use of a template if you contine this practice with a particular patient. ALSO, you (as a prescriber) can designate another staff member to submit the Extranet request per usual.
4. Your patients will contact the SOTA and AHCCCS if they are not getting what they need. Patients need evidence-based, person-centered methadone treatment. The SOTA is committed to this.

For more information about Arizona methadone treatment during COVID, contact Dr. Beth Meyerson at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center at bmeyerson@arizona.edu.

Specific papers published about COVID access are listed below (no paywall). Others are forthcoming specifically about provider implementation of patient accommodations.

• Meyerson BE, Bentele KG, Russell DM, Brady BR, Downer M, Garcia RC, Garnett I, Lutz R, Mahoney A, Samorano S, Arredondo C, Andres HJ, Coles H, Granillo B. Nothing really changed: Arizona patient experience of methadone and buprenorphine access during COVID. PLoS ONE 2022; 17(10): e0274094. https://tinyurl.com/bdhumn6d
• Meyerson BE, Russell DM, Downer M, Alfar A, Garnett I, Lowther J, Lutz R, Mahoney A, Moore J, Nuñez G, Samorano S, Brady BR, Bentele KG, Granillo B, and the Arizona Drug Policy Research & Advocacy Board. Opportunities and Challenges: Hepatitis C testing and treatment access experiences among people in methadone and buprenorphine treatment during COVID, Arizona, 2021. AJPM FOCUS 2023; 2(1) online first: https://tinyurl.com/27xea88c
• Meyerson Beth E, Bentele KG, Brady Benjamin R, Stavros N, Russell DM, Mahoney A, Garnett I, Jackson S, Garcia RC, Coles H, Granillo B, Carter GA. Insufficient Impact: Limited implementation of federal regulatory changes to Methadone and Buprenorphine access in Arizona during COVID (in review)

The Drug Policy Research and Advocacy Board is an initiative of the Harm Reduction Research Lab at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. Please contact Dr. Beth Meyerson at bmeyerson@arizona.edu if you have additional questions. You can also contact Arlene Mahoney, co-chair of the DPRAB, at arlene@southwestrecoveryalliance.org.