University of Rochester

UR Medicine is a healthcare delivery system based in Rochester, NY. Through our affiliated rural hospitals and practices, we serve rural and Appalachian communities of Upstate NY with a full range of primary through quaternary health care services. The greatest challenges we face in expanding access to MAT are provider-based stigma, reimbursement, primary care practice support, and integrating behavioral health back into primary care. CASA Trinity is a treatment organization based in Livingston County, which serves residents from the entire region who have either alcohol/substance use disorder. Their treatment programs include a range of medications. We have collaborated to establish MOUD access points in 2 of the hospitals by using an ED-based Behavioral Health Assessment Officer (BHAO), for assessing mental health/substance use disorder; engaging and opening patients to the possibility of treatment; and linking patients with a Peer at CASA Trinity (available evenings / weekends) or other treatment organizations, who can enroll patients in treatment. The HRSA MAT Access grant funds will be used to extend this to a new ED access point, Noyes Health in Livingston County. CASA Trinity will also hire and supervise a clinically licensed counselor as the program's Clinical Leader, partnering with CASA Trinity's prescribing providers to support at least 6 new rural UR Medicine primary care, women's health, and pain management access points. These practices will be located within the target service area of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Livingston, Potter (PA), NW Steuben, and Wyoming counties. There are several subpopulations in these regions whom we endeavor. to serve, including impoverished, young adults, elderly, Native American, Hispanic, Amish/Mennonite, LGBTQ residents and pregnant women.