The National Alliance of Advocates
for Buprenorphine Treatment

The Goal of the NAABT Patient/Physician Matching System

With less than 3% of America’s physicians certified to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction, finding one can be difficult. Finding one that accepts your insurance, can treat any co-occurring disorders, is near by and convenient, is someone you feel comfortable with, is not at their patient limit and is currenlty accepting new patients… can seem near impossible. NAABT created this matching system to help. It may not be able to provide everyone with the right doctor, but it increases your chances at finding one.

FAQ

Insurance Expectations

Unfortunately, many physicians still don’t accept insurance for the treatment of addiction. This is changing but not soon enough for many of you. It is just one of the many unfair aspects of addiction. If a doctor doesn't accept your insurance you can still file the claim yourself with your insurance company, if denied you can appeal. It’s important to stand up and fight for what is right and if your plan covers behavioral health disorders, demand they pay for your treatment. More on Insurance

Remember, addiction treatment is a lifesaving proposition. Don’t let reimbursement difficulties slow you down, get the help you need even if you have to pay and worry about the reimbursement later. Although nobody should pay anymore than what is fair, any price is ultimately worth saving your life in the long run. Am I paying too much?

Responses to Matching System survey question 2010

Here’s what patients who have used the matching system have said when asked:

What suggestions do you have to make our website a better resource for patients?

"none. I received a response from a doctor within 24 hours and started receiving treatment almost immediately. Without this website I would not have been able to get the help I need. i am so grateful for your services and thank you."

Thanks for responding! Congratulations on finding and starting treatment. We really appreciate the feedback, its good to known that the system is working and improving lives.

 

"Some of the doctors I had contacted through naabt were no longer prescribers, which wasted alot of my time."

We found the same problem with the public locator list and that’s why we created the matching system. With the matching system, only doctors who are currently prescribing and have openings respond to you by email, which saves you time. The public locator list is downloaded from SAMHSA and we have no control over who is listed.

 

"I received quite a few responses from doctors willing to treat me. Thank you."

Excellent! You’re welcome! Good luck with your recovery.

 

"Your website has saved my life. I am now in treatment and I feel the best I have in a LONG time. I have no suggestions because your website offers everything I have needed. I am so Thankful to you for all the help you have given me. You have helped to save me life! Thank you!"

Thanks for responding to the survey! It’s results like yours that keep us going. Congratulations at starting treatment and taking back your life!

 

"I called 15 doctors. I asked them what their normal office visit was. It ranged from $60-$90 & they took insurance. When I mentioned I wanted treatment to get off opiates with suboxone their policies changed ....NO insurance & prices ranging from $800 - $3000. Cash or CC only. It was a digrace to see what was out there when someone needs help. Thank God for Dr. Kubski who took my Medicare & all I had to do was pay my deductable & co-pay. There needs to be more doctors out there like her, who truly want to help. To make your website better someone should call some of these doctors, screen them & eliminate them from your selection. They are a disgrace to their profession."

I’m glad to hear you were able to find a doctor you like who also takes Medicare. It’s great you had so many doctors to choose from and could avoid those who didn’t provide enough value. Unfortunately, in some parts of the country patients don’t have as many doctors to choose from and are forced to pay high prices. The unnecessary rationing of this lifesaving treatment (through regulation and patient limits) destroys the market dynamics that would normally keep the price in check. Please contact your representatives in Washington and tell them to end the unprecedented and unnecessary patient limits, so supply and demand can bring the prices down. We can’t screen out the more expensive physicians because some patients are willing to pay the high prices to save their lives. What we can do is offer choices so, like you, patients can find the doctor that provides the most value. Congratulations!

 

"Your website is great. I like to hear more stories from people on how they are doing. I am in my fourth week and doing great."

Congratulations on 4 weeks of addiction remission! You can read some patient testimonials or discuss treatment with others at www.AddictionSurvivors.org

 

"This website was a God send for me. I found a doctor within a week and was on the medication that same week. It has improved my life greatly. Thank You!"

Great! We’re so happy to hear it’s worked and helped improve someone’s life. Thanks for responding!

Where Do I Go from Here?

Read what other patients are saying at: www.AddictionSurvivors.org

Order a buprenorphine resource kit with emergency wallet card

Tips for getting connected with a physician – National map of participating physicians

Quick Instructions

Click the register button to fill out the 16 question anonymous registration form and participating physicians in your area will be notified. see: detailed description, terms of use and privacy policy.

New physicians sign up nearly everyday. If you have not yet been contacted by a physician here are some tips to increase your chances. Many Buprenorphine prescibers don't take insurance. It is unfortunate but within their rights not to. You can submit a claim yourself and your insurance company may send the reimbursement directly to you. Call your insurance company claims department to get the forms and procedure. Please visit the discussion board to converse with other patients or to ask questions about the matching system or buprenorphine treatment.

Terms of Use

These terms are in addition to the terms listed for our entire site.

NAABT, Inc. serves to assist people in finding Buprenorphine treatment providers only, like that of a search engine, telephone book, or map. It is entirely your responsibility to determine if the physician is appropriately credentialed and not misrepresenting him/her self in any way. NAABT does not endorse nor is responsible for any action of the physicians or patients who use our service. The service is free and voluntary, and comes with no warranty or guarantee, or cost for using the service.

Disclaimer

NAABT.org acts only as an optional and additional tool to help connect individuals in need of buprenorphine treatment to buprenorphine treatment providers. DO NOT rely on it for your only path to healthcare. If you need immediate attention go to an emergency room, call 911, or seek immediate healthcare from a qualified healthcare provider.

Inclusion of a member physician is not and does not imply any NAABT referral, endorsement or recommendation, nor does the omission of any individual indicate any NAABT disapproval. ( see additional terms here )

Information contained on this website is not intended to substitute for the expertise and advice of your physician(s), counselor(s), pharmacist(s) or other qualified healthcare professional(s).  It should not be interpreted as a claim that use of the treatment is safe, appropriate or effective for you. It is entirely your responsibility to consult your healthcare professional before using this or any treatment.