Pennsylvania has a huge opioid problem and not nearly enough addiction treatment programs to cover the need. Recent reports document that opioid overdose deaths are at twice the national average in Pennsylvania and climbing. While it’s easy to get started with your licensing application in the state, especially if you’re opening a brand new facility, it’s less clear how to go about transforming a pre-existing group practice into an IOP or PHP program in the state. 

Today, we’ll look at what it takes to launch an IOP program in Pennsylvania and look at how group practice owners can leverage their pre-existing business to achieve this task with less money, effort and time than an entrepreneur who is just beginning in the behavioral health space. 

There’s Some Unique Business Opportunities for Open Minded Providers of Addiction Treatment IOP or PHP Programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s problem with opioid addiction was mentioned earlier in this blog post. However, did you know that the state of Pennsylvania allows clinicians to prescribe medical marijuana to treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in the state? There are even sober living homes and recovery residences in the state that explicitly embrace this form of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). 

If your group practice currently contains or can add clinicians who are qualified and inclined to prescribe this medication as a part of patients’ treatment plans, then this is potentially a very lucrative niche and brand for an upstart IOP or PHP program. 

Pennsylvania’s Highly Regulated Residential Treatment Space Makes IOP Addiction Treatment Programs a Much Smarter Move 

IOPs make more sense in Pennsylvania, where physical plant requirements and staffing ratios at residential facilities are highly regulated. All inpatient, non-hospital treatment centers in Pennsylvania must have a full time staff ratio of one staff member for every eight patients. Chapter 705 of the state code even goes so far as to describe the exact square footage you must provide per room per bed. There’s even different requirements for regular beds and bunk beds! Walking away from these stringent requirements and operating an IOP program in the state is a wise decision. 

Where in Pennsylvania Does an Addiction PHP Program Make the Most Sense For Existing Group Practices?

Your group practice likely already has a building with offices that have been tailored to your existing business model. How has that location been treating you? Do you intend to move your business to a new location before you begin offering a PHP or IOP program? 

There’s a few things to consider before settling on a location for your PHP or IOP program. 

• Visibility: You want your location to be visible to passersby. This helps generate interest in your services 

• Discretion: At the same time, you don’t want your organization to be inaccessible to patients. Most people seeking addiction treatment are not comfortable advertising their care to others, so it’s important that the entrances to your program are shielded from the street and offer some privacy to patients. 

• Cost: The level of overhead you can afford depends on how upscale you want your target patient to be. The more expensive the location, the more expensive your program will need to be. 

• Competition: Are there other IOP or PHP programs in your target area? Who are they catering to? How will your program be different (or better) than theirs? (Hint: SAMHSA’s treatment services locator tool is excellent for researching the competition and developing your business strategy.) 

Here’s Some Other Topics From Our Blog About Addiction Treatment and Behavioral Health in Pennsylvania

Everything You Need To Know About Insurance Billing for Addiction Treatment in Pennsylvania

What Addiction Treatment CPT Codes Require Pre-Certification at Highmark, Inc.?

How to Open an Addiction Treatment Center in Pennsylvania

4 Quick Tips for Managing Addiction Treatment Discharges with Independence Blue Cross

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