Are You Interested in Becoming a DATA-Waived Physician?

Enhanced Payment Rates Available

The Alabama Department of Mental Health is interested in partnering with physicians and other medical professionals who provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in the black belt counties and surrounding counties. As part of this initiative, ADMH is currently developing a Center of Excellence (COE) which will be located in one of these counties. Physicians will have the opportunity to partner with the COE to assist in providing MAT to this underserved area of the state.  Physicians who participate in a formal partnership with the COE will be eligible for enhanced rates of pay as related to MAT.

To participate in the formal partnership, a physician must be an approved Data 2000 Waived Physician and be able to demonstrate the ability to provide appropriate counseling services, either directly or through a partnership with an ADMH certified substance abuse provider, and appropriate medical care, including the prescribing of medications used to treat Opioid Use Disorders.

How does a physician apply for a physician waiver to prescribe and dispense buprenorphine? Under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000), qualified physicians may apply for waivers to treat opioid dependency with approved buprenorphine products in any settings in which they are qualified to practice, including an office, community hospital, health department, or correctional facility. A “qualifying physician” is specifically defined in DATA 2000 as one who is:

• Licensed under state law (excluding physician assistants or nurse practitioners)
• Registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to dispense controlled substances
• Required to treat no more than 30 patients at a time within the first year
• Qualified by training and/or certification

One requirement under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000), physicians are required to complete an eight-hour training to qualify for a waiver to prescribe and dispense buprenorphine. This required eight-hour training will be offered at ASADS on March 19, 2019.

For more information on the process of becoming a 2000 Data Waived Physician please visit https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/buprenorphine-waiver-management/apply-for-physician-waiver

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