SAMHSA extends methadone take-home flexibilities initiated during pandemic

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration yesterday extended certain methadone take-home flexibilities for opioid treatment programs until one year after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, and said it is considering ways to make the flexibilities permanent. 

SAMHSA in 2020 allowed states to request a blanket exception to allow stable patients in an opioid treatment program to receive 28 days of take-home doses of their OUD medication, and other eligible patients to receive up to 14 days of take-home medication, which the agency said has enhanced and encouraged use of treatment services.