Opening an Addiction Treatment Center in Massachusetts Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult

Massachusetts is struggling with a state-wide addiction problem, underscoring the demand for new addiction treatment providers in the state. In response to the rising levels of behavioral health problems, lawmakers in Massachusetts are considering expanding their civil commitment program to men in need of addiction treatment.

Meth use also continues to be a major public health concern in Massachusetts. 

98,944 people sought addiction treatment in Massachusetts in 2017, which is the last year that state-wide admissions data were made public. Experts believe those numbers have only risen in the face of the behavioral health crisis linked to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

So, given all this addiction activity in the state, how hard is it to open an addiction treatment center in Massachusetts? It should be easier than it is. Massachusetts makes it relatively difficult to successfully open a certified drug rehab. That said, there are some tricks to making the experience more enjoyable. Read on for more about how to make the addiction treatment center licensing process in Massachusetts easier and quicker.   

Yes, You’ll Have to Get a State License to Open an Addiction Treatment Center in Massachusetts

According to Massachusetts state law, all addiction treatment providers and centers must be licensed by the state: 

(B) No entity, except a general hospital or clinic licensed by the Department, or a department, agency or institution of the federal government or of the Commonwealth, or any subdivision of those listed above, shall operate a substance abuse treatment program without a substance abuse treatment license from the Department

In others words, licenses are required for all substance abuse treatment programs, even if they are run by the federal government or if they are associated with a pre-existing hospital. 

You’ll Work with Massachusetts’ BSAS to Get Your Addiction Treatment Center License

In Massachusetts, the same state organization responsible for administering individual licenses for drug and alcohol counselors (known as “LADCs” in Massachusetts) is also responsible for licensing all addiction treatment organizations, programs and businesses in the state. That state organization is a part of the Bureau of Public Health and is referred to by Massachusetts as the Division of the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS). 

While Other Forms Are Available on BSAS’ site, the Application Form for Addiction Treatment Center Licensing is Absent from Their Website

BSAS does offer a list of forms, resources and regulations for “Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs” but the list is very limited. BSAS’ website hosts some forms such as the “Key Personnel Change Form,” and the “Regulatory and Contractual Waiver Request Form” but, critically, not the application for licensure or the form for license renewal. Most states make their application available online for public review. In Massachusetts, you have to contact the state directly to get an application packet.

You’ll Need to Directly Contact the BSAS Licensing Inspector to Get Started with Addiction Treatment Center Licensing in Massachusetts

BSAS encourages addiction treatment centers looking to open in Massachusetts to reach out directly to the “BSAS Licensing Inspector” closest to their location. You’ll find a list of licensing inspectors and their contact information here. Central, Western. Metro West, Northeast, Greater Boston and Southeast all have dedicated Licensing Inspectors. 

Licensing Fees in Massachusetts Are Relatively Low for Addiction Treatment Centers 

All new licensing applications are assessed a flat fee of $300. You’ll also need to budget an additional $75 if you wish to add a satellite office or medication unit. If you wish to add a service to your care options, you’ll also need to spring for an extra $75. Good news—these fees rank among some of the lowest licensing fees in the United States.

Even better? If you live in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, your fees are waived completely. That means that the licensing process is free for all in-state applicants. 

Need Help Opening an Addiction Treatment Center in Massachusetts?

Behave Health is committed to making it easier - and more profitable - to operate evidence-based, results-focused addiction treatment centers. 

Our all-in-one app puts clinical, administration, staff, admissions, alumni, residents, treatment plans, billing, insurance authorizations and more - all at your fingertips. 

Get your free trial started today and see why more addiction treatment centers prefer Behave Health.

Need help with certification? Behave Health can also help direct you to the right resources for help with Licensing or Accreditation by either The Joint Commission or CARF. Mention to your product specialist that you’re interested in this service after you start your free trial!

How is Your Addiction Treatment Center Preparing for a Post-COVID World?

COVID-19 has created a perfect storm in the addiction treatment world. It seems these days we are being hammered from all sides: economic uncertainty, political (and policy) uncertainty and, of course, uncertainty about the course of the novel coronavirus itself. While all studies being done currently point to a massive surge in substance abuse in the United States, overall admissions in treatment are down as social isolation and concerns about safety erect new barriers to treatment. Some surveys are finding that 64% of addiction treatment centers are currently reporting revenue losses directly tied to the pandemic.

We’ve written extensively here about what you can do at your addiction treatment center to address the pandemic from a public health and economic health perspective. Certainly many readers are preoccupied with the day-to-day of responding to the crisis at hand as it continues to evolve. 

It’s hard to think outside of this moment, but, as businesspeople, it’s important that we try. 

Ask yourself: what happens next? What happens after COVID-19 is finally “over” (or at least more managed) and life no longer revolves around mitigating the risks associated with this virus? 

What is your addiction treatment center doing to prepare for the post-COVID world? 

 Today, we’ll look at 4 things that appear to be on the horizon for the addiction treatment community and give you suggestions on what your organization might begin to do to prepare for what comes next.

Addiction Treatment Post-COVID Reality #1: Telehealth Is Here to Stay 

In the wake of the pandemic, the vast majority of our readers have shifted their addiction treatment centers to rely heavily on telehealth services. Many of you are still offering in-person services, of course, and in some instances that level of care is absolutely necessary. But for those patients where telehealth is appropriate, it makes sense to improve social distancing for staff and patients by keeping unnecessary visits down. 

The US Department of Health and Human Services renewed their COVID-19 emergency declaration for a third time last month, extending changed Medicare and Medicaid rules that allow for the reimbursement of telehealth services for members of those programs. Private insurers have also shifted to embracing telehealth coverage for patients during the pandemic. 

Within the addiction treatment community, the migration to telehealth happened quickly in response to the pandemic, despite an historic resistance to pivoting away from face-to-face care. Despite concerns, most addiction treatment centers have seen no decrease in productivity or program effectiveness. Many have reported a marked decrease in no-shows. 

It is reasonable to expect the trend towards telehealth to continue after COVID-19 as patients and providers gain a level of comfort with the modality. 

If your facility is struggling with telehealth delivery, now is the time to address that problem. Be sure that your addiction treatment center is set up with the best EHR to handle the job. 

Addiction Treatment Post-COVID Reality #2: National Trauma and Delayed Care Means a Tsunami of SUD Patients 

It doesn’t take an addiction treatment professional to know that the national stress and trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic - as well as the economic and political stress that goes along with it - will cause more people to turn to drugs of abuse than ever before. Research is already proving that rates of addiction are skyrocketing in response to the difficulties we are all experiencing right now. What’s more, people in recovery are finding themselves relapsing as the routines and support structures they rely on are compromised by the pandemic.

It’s clear that we can expect a huge wave of addiction treatment patients in the near-future.

For addiction treatment centers, that means planning for a huge influx of patients at a time when cash flow is slowing to a trickle. It’s an impossible position. 

What low-cost improvements can your organization make right now to help prepare for that eventual bump in admissions? When making new hires and acquiring new properties is out of the question, focus on tightening up what you already have. Updating your software is a great way to improve efficiency and productivity without investing too much capital. 

Addiction Treatment Post-COVID Reality #3: Demand for MAT WIll be at an All-Time High

As restrictions around Suboxone and Methadone have loosened, patients are proving that they can handle the responsibility of take-home medications, despite the risks of diversion and abuse. Now that MAT patients - and providers - are growing accustomed to skipping the frequent (if not daily) in-clinic visits, it will be very difficult to go back to the older, more strict MAT rules. It seems likely that this is the “new normal” when it comes to MAT. With the rules relaxed and barriers removed, it makes sense that more patients will flock to these evidence-based medicines to help with their opioid addiction.  

If your addiction treatment program shuns MAT patients and relies on an abstinence-only method, now is the time to reconsider your approach. While many organizations still rely on this older approach to recovery, it would be reckless to fail to notice that the tide is turning. 

Addiction Treatment Post-COVID Reality #4: More States Decriminalizing Drugs Means Fewer Court-Mandated Patients 

Oregon just voted to decriminalize possession of all drugs of abuse. Though it’s the only state in the union to do so, the Drug Policy Alliance, the national non-profit behind the Oregon measure, has its eyes set on passing more legislation to decriminalize drugs throughout our country. Regardless of what you believe personally about decriminalization, the effects on the addiction treatment industry remain the same. 

In states that legalize drugs, we will see fewer court-ordered treatment patients. 

For addiction treatment centers that rely heavily on the justice system for new admissions, these changes could be existential. 

If this describes your addiction treatment organization, begin thinking now about how you will pivot in response to this change. It could mean improving your outreach efforts to certain communities, planning to invest in advertising campaigns or shifting your focus to a different niche within addiction treatment. Keep an eye out for developments in your state and plan accordingly.

We’re Here To Help 

At BehaveHealth, we are committed to supporting the addiction treatment community through this turbulent time. Our cloud-based software solution is designed especially for addiction treatment providers just like you. We continue to update our software in response to the changing treatment environment so that you can forget about the tech and focus on providing the best care possible to your patients. Claim your free trial to see how we can help your addiction treatment organization thrive today.