Medicaid opioid treatment: 10 Powerful Ways to Start in 2025

Medicaid Opioid Treatment: A Lifeline in the Overdose Crisis

Medicaid opioid treatment is a critical healthcare service that provides coverage for FDA-approved medications, counseling, and support services for people struggling with opioid use disorder. Here’s what you need to know:

Nearly 40% of people with opioid use disorder rely on Medicaid for treatment. With over 81,000 Americans dying from opioid overdoses in 2022 alone – a 63% jump since 2019 – accessing treatment can be the difference between life and death.

The good news: Medicaid programs must cover all FDA-approved medications for opioid treatment through 2025 under federal law. The challenging part: navigating the system varies significantly from state to state.

“We’re not handing out Happy Meals here – we’re saving lives,” as one treatment provider put it. When taken as prescribed, medications for opioid use disorder cut overdose fatalities by more than half. Yet only about one in five adults with opioid use disorder receives these medications.

I’m Dr. Chad Elkin, a board-certified addiction medicine physician and founder of National Addiction Specialists, with extensive experience helping patients steer Medicaid opioid treatment options across multiple states and telehealth platforms.

Common Medicaid opioid treatment vocab:

• Counseling for opioid addiction
• Telehealth Suboxone doctors
• Online addiction counseling

What You’ll Learn

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll answer essential questions about Medicaid opioid treatment, including:

• How does Medicaid cover opioid treatment medications and services?
• What barriers might you face, and how can you overcome them?
• How can telehealth expand your access to treatment?
• What happens if you lose Medicaid coverage during treatment?
• How are states innovating to improve access to care?

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to steer the Medicaid system to get the opioid treatment you or your loved one needs.

Why Opioid Use Disorder Is a Public Health Emergency

Opioid Use Disorder isn’t just a statistic—it’s a medical condition that changes lives forever. As a doctor who treats people every day, I can tell you it’s not about bad choices or weak character. OUD is a recognized medical condition that physically alters brain function and behavior, leaving people trapped in a cycle they can’t break alone.

The numbers behind this crisis are heartbreaking. Nearly 108,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2022—that’s like losing the entire population of a small city in just one year. Over 75% of these deaths involved opioids, with fentanyl—a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin—driving this devastating surge. Since 2019, overdose deaths have jumped by a staggering 63%.

This is why Medicaid opioid treatment matters so much. Medicaid covers nearly 40% of non-elderly adults with opioid use disorder, making it America’s largest payer for OUD treatment. For many people, it’s their only lifeline to recovery.

As one clinic director who works with Medicaid patients told me: “If you want to save people’s lives and you have a life-saving medication available, you don’t interrupt their access.” When we’re talking about opioid treatment, we’re literally talking about keeping people alive.

The Science of Addiction

Understanding what happens in the brain helps explain why Medicaid opioid treatment with medications works so well.

When someone takes opioids, these drugs bind to specific receptors in the brain, reducing pain and creating feelings of euphoria. But with continued use, the brain fights back—it reduces its own natural opioid production and becomes less responsive both to natural rewards and to the drug itself.

This creates two problems: tolerance (needing more of the drug to feel the same effect) and dependence (experiencing painful withdrawal when stopping). These aren’t signs of weakness—they’re physical changes in brain chemistry.

This science explains several important realities:

• Willpower alone rarely leads to recovery
• Medications help restore balance to brain chemistry
• Treatment often needs to continue long-term (15+ months shows much better outcomes)
• Relapse is a normal part of the chronic disease process, not a personal failure

Impact on Communities

The opioid crisis touches every community in America, but not all communities bear the same burden.

Rural areas face particularly severe challenges, with some patients driving hours each way for treatment. I’ve had patients who wake up at 4 AM to make it to a clinic that’s 90 miles away—just to get the medication they need to stay alive.

Black and Indigenous communities are experiencing the fastest-growing rates of overdose deaths, often with less access to treatment. Young adults (18-25) frequently struggle to find age-appropriate care that addresses their unique needs. And throughout America, low-income communities disproportionately rely on Medicaid opioid treatment services.

In Tennessee and Virginia, where we provide telehealth services at National Addiction Specialists, many rural counties have limited or no in-person treatment options. For these communities, telehealth isn’t just convenient—it’s often the difference between getting treatment or going without.

The stigma surrounding addiction only makes these disparities worse. Too many people still view addiction as a moral failing rather than a medical condition, which prevents people from seeking the help they need. Breaking down this stigma is just as important as expanding treatment access.

How Medicaid Covers Opioid Treatment: The Basics

Let’s talk about how Medicaid actually helps people get opioid treatment. The good news is that thanks to the SUPPORT Act (that’s the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act) passed in 2018, there are solid protections in place.

Think of this law as setting the minimum standard across the country. Under these federal rules, every state Medicaid program must cover:

• All FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder
• Counseling services that help you work through recovery
• Behavioral therapy to develop coping skills

This coverage isn’t optional for states—it’s required through September 2025. It’s like a safety net that ensures no matter where you live, you can access these essential treatments through Medicaid opioid treatment programs.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also enforces what’s called “parity rules.” This is just a fancy way of saying Medicaid plans can’t make it harder to get addiction treatment than it is to get treatment for physical health problems. If they cover a broken leg without much hassle, they need to approach addiction treatment the same way.

Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While the federal requirements create a baseline, how states implement them varies quite a bit. Almost all states will cover at least one form of oral buprenorphine without requiring prior authorization in their fee-for-service plans. But beyond that? It’s a patchwork. Some states go above and beyond with extra supports like peer recovery programs or help with transportation, while others stick to the minimum requirements.

“The difference between states can be night and day,” one of our patients told me recently. “When I moved from Virginia to Tennessee, I had to learn a whole new system just to keep my medication.”

Eligibility and Enrollment

Before you can access Medicaid opioid treatment, you need to qualify for and enroll in Medicaid itself. This varies by state, but generally depends on:

Your income level is probably the biggest factor. In states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, you can typically qualify if your income is up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. As of now, 40 states plus DC have expanded their programs.

You’ll also need to be a resident of the state where you’re applying and either a U.S. citizen or have qualifying immigration status. Some states have additional categories that might help you qualify, like being pregnant, having a disability, or being a parent.

A really important change happened in 2023 that’s affecting many patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, states couldn’t remove people from Medicaid rolls. That protection ended, and what’s called the Medicaid “unwinding” began in April 2023. Since then, more than 25 million Americans have lost coverage—including 1.9 million people in Florida alone. This has created real challenges for folks in the middle of treatment.

Costs and Cost-Sharing

One of the biggest advantages of Medicaid opioid treatment is that it’s affordable. Most states keep your out-of-pocket costs minimal for addiction treatment.

What might you pay? Often just small copayments:

• $1-5 for medications
• $2-5 for outpatient visits
• Little to nothing for emergency services

Some forward-thinking states have removed copayments entirely for addiction treatment. They’ve recognized that even small costs can become barriers to staying in treatment. Massachusetts, for example, doesn’t charge Medicaid copays for naloxone (the overdose-reversal medication), making it easier for people to access this life-saving drug.

The economic benefits of treatment go way beyond your personal savings. Research shows that for every dollar invested in medication treatment, society sees a $4-$5 return. People in treatment have 30% lower total healthcare costs over three years compared to before treatment. They visit emergency rooms less, spend fewer days in hospitals, and if they’re pregnant, their babies typically spend 7.5 fewer days in the hospital after birth.

“When I first got into treatment through Medicaid,” one patient shared, “I was worried about hidden costs. But my medication only costs me $3 a month, and that stability helped me get back to work within six months.”

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Medicaid Opioid Treatment Options You Can Access Today

When it comes to treating opioid use disorder, Medicaid opioid treatment offers several proven options that can literally save lives. Let’s break down what’s available to you right now.

FDA-Approved Medications

Methadone works like a full opioid replacement, easing those brutal cravings and withdrawal symptoms that make recovery so challenging. Most patients visit specialized clinics (called OTPs) daily for their dose, though if you’re stable in treatment, you might qualify for take-home doses. It’s particularly effective if you’ve been using high doses of opioids for a long time.

Buprenorphine (including Suboxone®) takes a different approach. As a partial opioid agonist, it has what doctors call a “ceiling effect” – meaning there’s a limit to how much effect it can have, which significantly reduces overdose risk. You might know it as Suboxone® when it’s combined with naloxone (which is added to prevent misuse). The best part? You can get buprenorphine in many forms – from daily films that dissolve under your tongue to monthly injections – and often through regular doctor’s offices or even telehealth appointments.

Naltrexone works completely differently by blocking opioid effects entirely. Available as daily pills or a monthly shot (Vivitrol®), it’s a good option for some people. The main catch is you need to be fully detoxed before starting, which can be a hurdle for many.

All three medications are scientifically proven to reduce opioid use and overdose risk, though they work in different ways and might be better suited to different people.

Beyond medications, Medicaid opioid treatment typically covers counseling (both individual and group), regular testing to monitor your progress, care coordination to help you steer the healthcare system, and in some states, peer support from others who’ve walked this path before.

Many state Medicaid programs now also cover over-the-counter Narcan (naloxone), making this life-saving overdose reversal medication more accessible when you need it most.

Choosing the Right Medication

Finding the right medication isn’t one-size-fits-all – it’s about what works best for your specific situation.

If structure helps you stay on track, clinic-based treatment at an OTP (required for methadone) provides a supportive environment with comprehensive services. If you need more flexibility, office-based treatment for buprenorphine or naltrexone can fit better into your daily life and might be integrated with your regular healthcare.

For many people, especially those in rural areas or with transportation challenges, telehealth has been a game-changer. At National Addiction Specialists, we specialize in telehealth buprenorphine treatment for patients in Tennessee and Virginia, accepting Medicaid in both states.

Your medication choice might also depend on your treatment history (what’s worked before?), which opioids you’ve been using (fentanyl often requires higher buprenorphine doses), any other health conditions you’re managing, and your personal preferences about daily medication versus monthly injections.

How Medicaid Opioid Treatment Saves Lives

The numbers don’t lie – medication treatment works:

When people stay on these medications, overdose deaths drop by more than half. Illicit opioid use decreases by 50-80%. People stay in treatment longer. HIV and hepatitis C transmission rates fall. Pregnant women with OUD have healthier babies. Even crime rates associated with substance use decrease.

For the best outcomes, staying in treatment for at least 15 months makes a significant difference compared to shorter treatment periods. Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.

Steps to Start Medicaid Opioid Treatment

Ready to take that first step? Here’s how to get started with Medicaid opioid treatment:

First, verify your Medicaid coverage. Check that your eligibility is current, figure out if you’re in fee-for-service Medicaid or a managed care plan, and locate your Medicaid ID card – you’ll need it.

Next, find a provider who accepts your insurance. You can use your state’s Medicaid provider directory, visit FindTreatment.gov, or call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). If you’re in Tennessee or Virginia, you can also connect with us at National Addiction Specialists for telehealth treatment.

Then, schedule an assessment. Be ready to talk honestly about your opioid use history – this isn’t about judgment but finding the right treatment for you. Bring your Medicaid card and any relevant medical records.

Finally, develop a treatment plan with your provider. Together, you’ll select the appropriate medication, discuss what kind of counseling might help, and understand what to expect as you move forward.

Taking that first step is often the hardest part. But with Medicaid opioid treatment, you don’t have to face this journey alone.

Common Barriers—and Proven Solutions

Let’s be honest – getting the help you need shouldn’t feel like climbing a mountain. Yet for many people seeking Medicaid opioid treatment, obstacles pop up at every turn. The good news? There are practical ways around these roadblocks.

Prior Authorization Requirements

Ever been told “we need approval first” when you’re ready to start treatment? You’re not alone. Some states still require prior authorization for certain medications, which can delay care when you need it most.

What you can do about it:

Working with providers who know the Medicaid system inside and out makes a world of difference. They can guide you toward medications that don’t require prior authorization – a growing category, thankfully. As of 2024, almost all states cover at least one standard form of oral buprenorphine without all the red tape.

“When a patient is finally ready for help, waiting days for approval can be the difference between recovery and relapse,” explains one provider at our clinic. “We always start with options we know Medicaid will cover immediately.”

If you do face a denial, don’t give up! Your provider can help appeal the decision or request an expedited review if your situation is urgent.

Provider Shortages

“I’m ready for treatment, but there’s no one nearby who can help me.” This heartbreaking situation is all too common, especially in rural areas where Medicaid opioid treatment providers are scarce.

The shortage is real – but so are the solutions:

Telehealth has been a game-changer (more on this below). For many of our patients, virtual appointments mean they can access care that simply wasn’t available in their community before.

Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are another hidden gem. These community-based clinics often provide medication-assisted treatment and accept Medicaid. Some states even offer transportation assistance – just ask your Medicaid office about non-emergency medical transportation benefits.

Counseling Requirements

Some states require counseling alongside medication – a well-intentioned rule that can sometimes create more problems than it solves.

When Lisa from rural Tennessee called us, she was worried: “I can start Suboxone, but there’s a six-week wait for the required counselor. Do I have to wait that long to get better?”

The answer is no. While counseling can be incredibly helpful, medication should never be withheld while arranging therapy services. Good providers can document why counseling might be delayed or explore telehealth counseling options that might have shorter wait times.

Integrated programs that offer both medication and counseling under one roof (or one virtual platform) can be ideal. At National Addiction Specialists, we believe in comprehensive care but never let perfect be the enemy of good when it comes to starting life-saving medication.

Coverage Lapses

The Medicaid “unwinding” has been a major setback for many patients. With millions losing coverage after pandemic protections ended, treatment continuity has suffered.

If you’re worried about coverage gaps:

• Make a calendar reminder for renewal deadlines
• Update your contact information with Medicaid immediately if you move
• Ask your provider about clinic assistance programs – many will work with patients during temporary coverage gaps
• Look into pharmaceutical company assistance programs that can provide free medication

“Turning people away over money is the last thing we want to do,” shared one clinic director in Florida. Most treatment providers will work with you to find temporary solutions while you resolve coverage issues.

Telehealth & Mobile Models

The pandemic changed healthcare forever, especially for Medicaid opioid treatment. What started as an emergency measure has become a permanent lifeline for many.

James, a construction worker in rural Virginia, puts it simply: “I wouldn’t be in recovery without telehealth. Between my job schedule and living 90 minutes from the nearest clinic, in-person visits just weren’t going to happen.”

Over three-quarters of states now provide Medicaid coverage for buprenorphine treatment started entirely through telehealth. This approach eliminates transportation barriers, reduces the stigma of visiting treatment facilities, and lets people fit recovery into their complicated lives.

For those who still lack internet access, mobile treatment units are bringing care directly to underserved communities. These specially equipped vans can provide medications, counseling, and even lab services in areas with few healthcare options.

Pre-Release & Justice-Involved Coverage

The statistics are shocking: people leaving jail or prison face a 40-fold higher risk of overdose in the first two weeks after release. It’s a crisis that demands attention.

Forward-thinking states are finding solutions through Section 1115 Medicaid waivers that allow coverage before release. California and Washington are pioneering this approach, ensuring people have medication and follow-up appointments already in place when they return to the community.

“Warm handoff” programs are another promising development, connecting people directly to community treatment upon release rather than just handing them a referral list. These programs recognize that the transition period is when people are most vulnerable.

Addressing Racial & Rural Gaps

The hard truth is that Medicaid opioid treatment isn’t equally accessible to everyone. Black and African American enrollees are less likely to receive medication treatment, and rural areas have significantly fewer providers – especially for methadone.

Promising solutions are emerging:

• Programs focused on expanding workforce diversity so patients can work with providers who understand their experiences
• Culturally responsive care models that respect different community needs
• Community health workers who bridge the gap between formal healthcare and underserved populations

Telehealth is proving especially valuable for rural communities. At National Addiction Specialists, we’ve seen how virtual care can reach people who would otherwise have no access to treatment.

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Innovations and Policy Trends Shaping the Future

The world of Medicaid opioid treatment is constantly evolving, with exciting innovations making treatment more accessible and effective than ever before. Like watching a garden grow, we’re seeing new approaches bloom across the country—and the results are giving hope to thousands of families affected by opioid use disorder.

Expanded Medication Access

The treatment landscape is expanding in ways that better meet patients’ real-world needs. For those struggling with fentanyl exposure—now the dominant driver of overdoses—many states are recognizing that standard buprenorphine doses simply aren’t enough. They’re approving higher doses that can effectively manage withdrawal and cravings in these particularly challenging cases.

Over-the-counter Narcan (naloxone) represents another breakthrough. About one-third of states have either added or plan to add this life-saving overdose reversal medication to their Medicaid OTC formularies. This means more families can keep this crucial safety net on hand without jumping through prescription hoops.

For patients who struggle with daily medication, long-acting injectable buprenorphine offers a game-changing alternative. These monthly shots, increasingly covered by Medicaid plans, can dramatically improve treatment adherence—as one patient told me, “Not having to think about taking something every day changed everything for me.”

Funding and Program Innovations

Money talks—and billions in opioid settlement funds are speaking volumes about our national commitment to healing. States are channeling these dollars directly into expanding treatment infrastructure, creating more entry points into recovery.

Delaware and several other forward-thinking states are securing waivers to cover contingency management—evidence-based programs that provide small incentives for negative drug tests. Once considered controversial, the science supporting this approach has become too powerful to ignore.

For pregnant women with opioid use disorder, specialized programs like the Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) model in Texas are creating compassionate pathways to treatment. These programs recognize that treating a mother effectively means healthier outcomes for two lives, not just one.

Telehealth Expansion

If there’s a silver lining to the pandemic, it’s the acceleration of telehealth services. Research confirms telehealth buprenorphine is as effective as in-person care, opening treatment doors for rural patients and those without transportation.

The DEA has extended flexibilities allowing telehealth prescribing of controlled substances—a policy change that has literally saved lives. States are getting creative with bundled payment models for telehealth services, ensuring providers are fairly compensated for this vital care.

Perhaps most heartening is seeing the integration of virtual peer support and counseling with medication treatment. This holistic approach acknowledges that recovery involves more than just medication—it’s about connection and understanding too.

State Success Stories

Vermont’s “Hub and Spoke” model stands as a gold standard for Medicaid opioid treatment organization. Picture a wheel: specialized “hubs” at the center provide intensive services for complex cases, while community-based “spokes” (primary care offices) manage stable patients. Connecting everything is coordinated care management and comprehensive Medicaid coverage.

Other states are finding their own paths to excellence:

• Rhode Island embedded MAT teams within opioid treatment programs, creating a “health home” approach that treats the whole person
• Massachusetts eliminated copays for naloxone, recognizing that financial barriers shouldn’t stand between someone and a life-saving medication
• Indiana uses overdose data to strategically locate new treatment facilities where they’re needed most—a smart, targeted approach

What Policymakers Can Do Next

While we’ve made remarkable progress, there’s still work to be done to improve Medicaid opioid treatment access. The roadmap for policymakers is clear:

First, eliminate prior authorization for all FDA-approved medications for OUD. When someone is ready for treatment, delays can be deadly.

Second, expand Medicaid in the remaining non-expansion states. The evidence is overwhelming that expansion states have better treatment access and lower overdose rates.

Third, fund workforce development to address critical provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities.

Fourth, make telehealth flexibilities permanent to ensure continued access for those who benefit most from remote care.

Finally, implement comprehensive parity enforcement to ensure mental health and substance use services receive equal coverage and priority.

As one recovery advocate powerfully stated, “We know what works—we just need the political will to make it happen.” With continued innovation and commitment, we can turn the tide on this crisis and bring healing to communities across America.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Medicaid Opioid Treatment

We hear a lot of questions from people considering treatment. Let’s tackle the most common ones that might be on your mind too.

What medications does Medicaid cover?

Good news! Medicaid opioid treatment must cover all FDA-approved medications through September 2025. This includes methadone, buprenorphine (including Suboxone®), and naltrexone (including Vivitrol®).

That said, your state might have different rules about specific formulations. For example, injectable versions might require prior authorization in some places. But at minimum, you should have access to at least one form of each medication without jumping through extra hoops.

Can I start treatment online?

In most cases, yes! Over three-quarters of states now allow Medicaid to cover starting buprenorphine treatment via telehealth. If you’re in Tennessee or Virginia, we at National Addiction Specialists can help you begin treatment from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Starting online typically means having a video consultation with one of our providers, discussing your needs, developing a personalized plan, and getting your prescription sent electronically to your local pharmacy. You’ll have regular follow-ups to make sure everything’s working well for you.

Many patients tell us they prefer telehealth because it fits into their busy lives and feels less intimidating than walking into a clinic.

What happens if I lose Medicaid during treatment?

This is a real concern, especially with the recent Medicaid “unwinding.” If you lose coverage, don’t panic – you have options:

First, respond to any renewal notices immediately to prevent gaps. If you do lose coverage, check if you qualify for a different Medicaid category or special enrollment for Marketplace insurance. Many providers (including us) offer sliding scale fees, and pharmaceutical companies often have patient assistance programs for medications.

The most important thing is to talk to your provider right away if you’re worried about losing coverage. We never want to see someone’s treatment interrupted over insurance issues.

Do I have to go to counseling to get medication?

While counseling can be incredibly helpful, federal law doesn’t require it to receive medication. Some state Medicaid programs do have counseling requirements, but these shouldn’t create barriers to receiving life-saving medication.

At National Addiction Specialists, we believe in a personalized approach. We offer integrated counseling alongside medication management, but we recognize that medication alone saves lives and shouldn’t be withheld if counseling isn’t immediately available or right for you.

As one of our patients put it: “The medication got me stable enough to actually benefit from the counseling. I couldn’t focus on therapy when I was in withdrawal all the time.”

How long will I need to stay on medication?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Research shows better outcomes with longer treatment periods (15+ months or more), but the right duration varies for each person.

Some patients benefit from years of treatment, while others eventually taper off medication. This should always be a shared decision between you and your healthcare provider based on your stability and overall recovery progress.

Many people manage chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure with daily medication for years or even decades. Opioid use disorder is also a chronic condition that sometimes requires long-term treatment.

What if there are no providers near me?

Provider shortages are a real challenge, especially in rural areas. If you’re having trouble finding care nearby:

Consider telehealth options like National Addiction Specialists if you’re in Tennessee or Virginia. Check if your state has mobile treatment units that might visit your area. Ask about transportation assistance through Medicaid, which can help you reach distant providers. As a last resort, contact your state’s opioid treatment authority for additional resources.

No one should go without treatment because of where they live.

Will Medicaid cover residential treatment if I need it?

Medicaid coverage for residential treatment varies by state. Many states have obtained special waivers (called Section 1115 waivers) to cover services in facilities that would otherwise be excluded from Medicaid coverage.

Your best bet is to check with your state Medicaid office or ask a treatment navigator to understand your specific coverage options. Some residential programs also have scholarship funds or sliding scale options if coverage is limited.

Have more questions? We’re here to help.

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Conclusion

The journey through Medicaid opioid treatment can seem daunting, but remember this: you’re not alone, and recovery is possible with the right support. Throughout this guide, we’ve seen how Medicaid serves as a critical lifeline for millions of Americans battling opioid use disorder—providing access to treatments that not only improve lives but save them.

Hope shines through even the darkest statistics. When patients receive medication treatment, their risk of overdose drops by more than half. That’s not just a number—that’s someone’s parent, child, or friend who gets another chance at life.

While navigating Medicaid can feel like learning a new language (with all its state variations and policy nuances), the core truth remains simple: help is available. All state Medicaid programs must cover FDA-approved medications for opioid treatment through 2025, creating a foundation of care you can count on.

The landscape of recovery continues to evolve in promising ways. Telehealth has opened doors for people who previously couldn’t access care due to distance, transportation, or stigma concerns. State innovations like Vermont’s Hub and Spoke model show what’s possible when we prioritize comprehensive care. Even during coverage transitions, solutions exist—from pharmaceutical assistance programs to sliding scale options—that can help maintain your treatment momentum.

Your recovery journey deserves support that meets you where you are. Whether you’re just considering treatment or already on the path, know that each step forward matters. The science is clear: longer treatment periods lead to better outcomes, and finding the right medication and support system can transform your relationship with recovery.

Make an Appointment to Treat Addiction

Please don’t hesitate. Make an appointment today.

At National Addiction Specialists, we understand that reaching out takes courage. That’s why we’ve made the process as straightforward as possible. Our telemedicine-based Suboxone treatment brings personalized recovery plans right to your home, offering the privacy and convenience you deserve while providing expert care when you need it most. Serving Tennessee and Virginia, we proudly accept Medicaid and Medicare to ensure quality treatment remains accessible to everyone who needs it.

Medically Reviewed By

Chad D. Elkin, MD, FASAM, ABIM, ABPM

Chad D. Elkin, MD, FASAM, ABIM, ABPM, is double board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine and is a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). His professional interests focus on social determinants of health, addiction medicine, public education concerning the opioid epidemic, public speaking engagements, and addiction medicine legislative advocacy at the state and national level . He is heavily involved with ASAM with both national and state roles including activity on the Practice Management and Regulatory Affairs Committee (PMRAC), State Advocacy and Legislative Affairs Committee (SALC), and is the Legislative Chairman and President-elect for the Tennessee chapter of ASAM.

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