MOUD Bridge Program
BRIDGE
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BRIDGE 〰️
The Bridge Care Model Enables a Powerful Partnership Between Academia and the Community
What is MOUD-Bridge?
The MOUD-Bridge (Medication for Opioid Use Disorder) is a temporary program aimed at managing patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) while they transition to a permanent medical home for long-term care. The clinic provides a range of supportive services, including behavioral health (BH) and mental health (MH) services, Peer Recovery Support Services, assistance with insurance applications, social work support, and housing assistance, to ensure comprehensive care during this transitional period. The goal is to stabilize patients and address their immediate needs until they can be connected to long-term care providers for continued OUD management.
Who is involved in MOUD-Bridge?
The Bridge-MOUD (Medication for Opioid Use Disorder) process involves many partners who play critical roles in supporting patients during their transition to long-term care. These include healthcare providers, such as medical professionals offering MOUD services and behavioral health (BH) and mental health (MH) specialists addressing the psychological and emotional needs of patients. Social workers and housing assistance teams also contribute, helping patients navigate social services and secure stable housing. Additionally, care coordinators are essential in assisting patients with applications and ensuring insurance coverage continuity. Together, these stakeholders collaborate with our community partners to stabilize patients and meet their immediate needs while facilitating their connection to permanent medical homes for ongoing OUD management.
How Does MOUD-Bridge Connect?
The Bridge-MOUD model partners with various types of criminal justice, healthcare, and community organizations in Virginia to provide a crucial support system for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) as they transition back into the community. Through this collaboration, jails identify inmates with OUD and connect them with Bridge-MOUD services before their release. The partnership ensures that patients receive medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and other supportive services, such as mental health (MH) and behavioral health (BH) counseling, to address both their physical and psychological needs.
Additionally, social workers and case managers work closely with the jails to help inmates secure housing, enroll in health insurance, and develop a comprehensive care plan that continues beyond their incarceration. This approach reduces the risk of relapse and overdose by creating a seamless transition from jail to the community, where individuals are connected with long-term care providers for sustained OUD management. The partnership emphasizes continuity of care, promoting better outcomes for individuals as they reenter society.
Please refer to the bottom of our page to learn more about our community partners.
How does Telehealth work within the MOUD-Bridge Model?
Telehealth Services for Opioid Use Disorder Recovery
Telehealth services have become increasingly popular in recent years as a tool to improve access to healthcare for individuals in need. This is particularly true for those recovering with opioid use disorder (OUD) who are unable to find a primary medication-assisted treatment (MAT) provider. Telehealth services allow individuals to receive treatment at home, reducing the need for frequent visits to a healthcare provider and improving access to care.
Telehealth is the use of technology to provide healthcare services remotely. This can include video conferencing, telephone calls, and other forms of electronic communication. Telehealth is particularly useful for individuals with mobility issues, transportation limitations, or those living in remote areas without easy access to healthcare providers.
Telehealth services can be an excellent tool for individuals recovering from opioid addiction. In particular, telehealth can be used as a temporary solution to provide care for individuals until they are able to find a primary MAT provider. Telehealth can also help individuals access therapy, counseling, and support groups, which are important components of OUD recovery.
There are many benefits to using telehealth services for individuals recovering from OUD, including:
Improved access to care
Convenience and flexibility of treatment schedules
Reduced travel time and expenses
Increased privacy and confidentiality
Availability of remote support groups and counseling
Meet the Team
-
Megan Harvey (she/her)
DNP, FNP-BC, APRN
Director of MAT/MOUD Services -
Allison West (she/her)
MSW
Care Coordination Manager -
Brynn Carlson (she/her)
MHA
Recovery Care Coordinator -
Nora Elnahas (she/her)
DNP, FNP-BC
NP Provider and Evaluator -
Ashley Wiest (she/her)
DNP, FNP-BC
NP Provider -
Micah Price (he/him)
CPRS, i-FPRS
Lead Peer Recovery Specialist