If you’re feeling poorly from opioids, a Suboxone doctor may be the person to help you start feeling better.
Finding a Suboxone doctor in New Jersey can be difficult at any time — it gets even harder when you have to find one during a pandemic. If you’ve been taking more pain pills than your doctor prescribed, or you’ve been using heroin, then you’ve likely experienced the unpleasant side effects of opioid withdrawal. You’re not alone in this experience — New Jersey’s use of opioids has been rising in the past few years, like much of the nation.
But there’s good news, as well. Health plans in New Jersey like Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and health professionals are committed to improving access to Suboxone, one of the three FDA-approved medications to treat opioid use disorder, and the only one of the three which is available at your local pharmacy and helps relieve the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
Getting Started with Suboxone Treatment
There are a few simple ways to find Suboxone treatment in New Jersey. First, remember that you’re worth the gold standard of care. You don’t need to do this alone or go cold turkey. You are your own most powerful advocate.
At Workit Health, we have Suboxone doctors in New Jersey who accept both Horizon commercial and Horizon Medicaid plans. The Workit Health program is 100% virtual, including drug testing via the app. This means that you can stay safe during COVID-19 and receive all your care from home. The program includes recovery groups led by a licensed counselor. You can message with a care team in the app, and work through and therapeutic courses. If you’re ready to sign up, get started here.
“Times of stress and isolation can be high risk for people struggling with substance use.”
“Times of stress and isolation can be a high risk for people struggling with substance use. If you worry that the novel coronavirus will affect your treatment, you aren’t alone,” said Chelsea Chang, Workit Counselor in New Jersey. “But Workit Health offers evidence-based treatment just like you’d receive in person, all from the safety and comfort of home.”
Other Ways to Find a Suboxone Provider in New Jersey
If you feel comfortable, you can talk with your current doctor about them prescribing you Suboxone. Some general practitioners now treat addiction as part of their primary care. Some psychiatrists will help you beat your addiction. If you already have a doctor you love, reach out to them. Even if they can’t prescribe Suboxone, they may recommend you to another doctor within their network.
Another resource is SAMHSA’s Buprenorphine Practitioner Locator.
Why Is It Hard to Find a Buprenorphine/Naloxone Doctor in New Jersey?
If you’re struggling to find quality care, it’s not because you’re doing something wrong. Buprenorphine/naloxone (the medication is popularly known by the brand name Suboxone) is regulated by the DEA. Each doctor who prescribes Suboxone is required to receive a waiver and can only treat a limited number of patients at a time. This can result in Suboxone clinics in New Jersey being unable to accept new patients for a time.
“If you’re struggling to find quality care, it’s not because you’re doing something wrong.”
Throw into the mix the social distancing measures put into place because of COVID-19, and it gets more complicated. Not all Suboxone doctors will be able to see new patients. Some may require you to come into their office in person to see them or to take drug tests.
Does my New Jersey Insurance Cover Suboxone Treatment?
Not sure if Suboxone treatment will be covered by your insurance? The easiest way to find out is to give the number on the back of your insurance card a call and ask. The care navigators that work at your insurance should be able to refer you to in-network care.
At Workit Health, our telemedicine Suboxone doctors accept many New Jersey insurance plans, including Horizon and Aetna commercial plans, Horizon Medicaid plans, and Horizon, Aetna, and Original Medicare plans. To check your insurance coverage, give the team a call at 855-659-7734 from 9am to 7pm EST.
“Many health insurance plans are waiving co-pays for telemedicine visits.”
Many health insurance plans are waiving co-pays for telemedicine visits. This means if you can find a telemedicine Suboxone provider in New Jersey you may not have any out-of-pocket costs during COVID-19.
Telemedicine Suboxone Care During COVID-19
People usually head to in-person Suboxone clinics to receive counseling, join recovery groups, take drug tests, and meet with their doctor. COVID-19 has made everyone uneasy about in-person care. People who receive treatment from methadone clinics are advocating for looser restrictions around take-home medications so they can stay safely at home.
Telemedicine, or online care accessed via your computer or smartphone, is an important way to receive medical care at a social distance. During telemedicine Suboxone doctor visits in New Jersey, there is no risk for yourself or your medical team. Staying home means no exposure to any type of virus, including the novel coronavirus. At Workit Health, we offer 100% virtual telemedicine Suboxone treatment. Workit Health even drug tests online. You access the entire program through the Workit Health app available for iPhone or Android.
It’s important to remember that even when the COVID-19 emergency is over, you deserve accessible care. This is why Workit Health’s program is always available via telemedicine. We are the first digital Suboxone provider in New Jersey. Workit Health was proud to offer this service before COVID-19, and we will continue to offer it after the pandemic ends. Until then, please stay safe at home. Take the steps you need to get Suboxone treatment to start feeling better. You and your recovery are worth it.