The Patient-Centered Opioid Addiction Treatment (P-COAT) model is expected to increase the number of OUD patients who are able to lead satisfying, productive lives through successful management of their condition while also reducing spending on preventable costs associated with addiction, such as emergency department visits and hospitalizations. 

P-COAT aims to broaden access to proven, effective treatment for OUD by supporting coordinated care by multiple health professionals and ending the fragmentation and service gaps that have often characterized addiction treatment. P-COAT includes a number of innovative features, including an add-on payment for participating treatment teams that make use of clinically validated digital care management tools to improve patient adherence to treatment plans. 

ASAM and the AMA are now seeking physician practices and insurers interested in pilot testing the new payment model, who can submit their contact information here. The organizations are also working with the House Energy and Commerce Committee on potential inclusion of a provision establishing a Medicare demonstration project of an alternative payment model for OUD in the legislation the committee is developing to address the opioid epidemic. A discussion draft of such a measure was included in legislation that cleared the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee April 25.

Read more at AMA Wire.