AMA recommends exceptions to facilitate opioid use disorder treatment

CHICAGO — The American Medical Association (AMA) and American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) are recommending that states with declared states of emergency request blanket exceptions from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that will help patients in an opioid treatment program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The blanket exception will allow patients to obtain up to 28 days of take-home medication if they are stable, and up to 14 days for patients who are less stable but whom the treatment program believes can safely handle that level of take-home medication.