VNS Health EasyCare: Opioid Treatment Program Services (OTP)
Treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Tolerance and dependence are physical, addiction is psychological, and both need support to overcome.
Access all my benefitsGet insurance benefits, legal documents, and medical records in one place
How To Receive
Details on how to apply
Obtain a network provider referral for opioid treatment.
Schedule an intake assessment appointment with a network facility agreed upon.
For behavior- and mental health-related information, call the health plan provider partner, Carelon Behavioral Health at (888) 204-5581.
-OR- Search network: Click on the Behavioral and Mental Health tab on the page, then click on an appropriate inpatient or outpatient service (as ordered by the provider).
Develop a care plan and schedule visits for counseling, therapy, medications, and/or activities.
Attend all visits and complete the program, as designed.
Get more support and guidance on insurance benefits, medical records and legal forms.
Helpful brings together your insurance benefits, legal documents, and medical records in one personalized place — so you always know what you have, and never have to search again.
Opioid use disorder (OUD) comprises:
An overpowering desire to use opioids
Increased opioid tolerance (it takes more and more of the drug to achieve the desired effect)
Withdrawal syndrome when stopped (mood swings, flu-like symptoms, sweating, shaking, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and full body aches and pain, as well as more severe symptoms).
OUD can occur in older adults, especially those who use opioids for chronic pain control.
OUD treatment includes the following services:
FDA-approved opioid agonist and antagonist medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which are methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone.
Dispensing and administration of MAT medications (if applicable)
Substance use counseling
Individual and group therapy
Toxicology testing
Intake activities
Periodic assessments
OUD programs are conducted at both inpatient and outpatient hospital-based and sometimes university-based treatment sites and rehabilitation centers, and may be delivered in conjunction with drug therapy at independent MAT clinics (once commonly referred to as “methadone clinics” or “drug depots”). In more rural settings, outpatient counseling may be delivered in more community-based settings such as activity centers, churches, and legion-type facilities (VFW, Elk’s Club, etc.).
Not all OUD programs are medication-assisted. There are also programs (commonly called “detox”) that rely on abstinence-based treatment wherein there is no medication transition, though these are typically inpatient programs lasting from 21-28 days or residential programs lasting more than 30 days. However, there are inpatient and residential programs that are also MAT. Be sure to ask about the facility’s approach (abstinence or MAT) before intake and admission.
Outpatient programs, which are generally MAT, may vary in intensity and duration, but typically last anywhere between 3 months and a year.
Navigate Healthcare with A Little Help from Helpful
Get more from your healthcare. Whether for you or your loved one, Helpful makes it easy to book with our in-network mental healthcare providers, book other doctor visits, manage insurance benefits, check prescriptions, and handle important forms.
Covered by Your Insurance
For You or For Caregivers
HIPAA Compliant, Data is Never Shared
