As part of HealingNYC, the Health Department announced the expansion of the Buprenorphine Nurse Care Manager Initiative, which provides buprenorphine treatment in health centers that serve people who are often uninsured or underinsured. Medications for addiction treatment, including buprenorphine, are the most effective way to treat opioid addiction and can reduce the risk of overdose and death. In the Buprenorphine Nurse Care Manager Initiative, primary care providers prescribe buprenorphine, and nurses offer additional patient care. The nurses screen and assess patients for treatment, manage medication to adjust dosing and track progress, support patient retention in care, facilitate insurance and payment issues, and refer to supportive services such as housing and food benefits. Nearly 350 patients have received buprenorphine treatment through this initiative since its launch in April 2017 at 14 health centers. The expansion will bring the initiative to an additional 12 health centers, at which point the program will have the capacity to offer buprenorphine treatment to more than 5,000 patients. In 2016, approximately 13,600 New Yorkers received buprenorphine to treat their opioid addiction. HealingNYC is the city’s comprehensive initiative to save as many as 400 lives by 2022.
“In New York City, no one has to forgo lifesaving treatment for addiction,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “Buprenorphine is an evidence-based treatment option that can be administered by a nurse care manager and is available at an increased number of locations. More locations for buprenorphine treatment will mean more second chances for New Yorkers. Nurses are among the most trusted health care providers in our communities. With their partnership we can reach more New Yorkers and save more lives.”
“Buprenorphine is one of the most effective treatments for opioid addiction, and the Nurse Care Manager Initiative is a key part of our effort to expand access to it,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “Buprenorphine can help patients get their lives back. We are working diligently to make it easier for anyone who needs help with opioid addiction to access this essential treatment.”
“This initiative to expand access to buprenorphine at community-based health centers will help more individuals get their lives back on track and prevent overdoses and death, regardless of their insurance status,” said Public Advocate Letitia James. “I commend the Health Department for continuing their commitment to combat the horrific opioid crisis that has already taken far too many lives.”
“We cannot hope to turn the tide of the terrible opioid epidemic without expanding access to treatment for those who need it most,” said Congressman Eliot Engel. “I applaud the city for recognizing this and taking needed steps to serve more people living with addiction by expanding this initiative.”
“Nurses stand on the front line of the opioid epidemic,” said Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried, chair of the Assembly Health Committee. “Expanding the Nurse Care Manager program at Community Health Centers around the city will save lives and help New Yorkers access appropriate, medically assisted treatment to combat opiate addiction.”
“The expansion of this initiative will provide thousands of underinsured and uninsured New Yorkers suffering from an opioid addiction access to comprehensive and critical buprenorphine treatment and resources,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “I commend our city for its continued commitment to adequately combat the serious opioid crisis we are facing.”
“As chair of the City Council’s Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction, I am pleased to learn the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is expanding their Nurse Care Manager Initiative throughout community health centers,” said Council Member Diana Ayala. “Buprenorphine is an effective way to treat opioid addiction, but drug users who are uninsured or underinsured often encounter trouble accessing it. The expansion of the Nurse Care Manager Initiative will mitigate this and ensure people have more options in choosing addiction treatment,”
“Seeing the difference buprenorphine makes in our patients’ lives is exciting,” said Kate Kozeniewski, RN, Buprenorphine Nurse Coordinator, Brightpoint Health. “Their physical and mental health improves. Patients tell me that they feel better because they are repairing and growing relationships with friends, family and community.”
The first 14 health centers that are part of the Buprenorphine Nurse Care Manager Initiative all have appointments available for new patients seeking buprenorphine:
Brightpoint Health
Bay Street Health Center (Stapleton–St. George, Staten Island)
Sterling Health Center (Bedford-Stuyvesant–Crown Heights, Brooklyn)
Sutphin Health Center (Jamaica, Queens)
Community Health Care Network
Community Healthcare Network, South Bronx (Hunts Point–Mott Haven, Bronx)
Community Healthcare Network, Williamsburg (Williamsburg–Bushwick, Brooklyn)
Health Care Choices
HealthCare Choices (Borough Park, Brooklyn)
HealthCare Choices at East New York (East New York, Brooklyn)
Acacia Network
Claremont Family Health Center (Crotona–Tremont, Bronx)
Clay Family Health Center (Crotona–Tremont, Bronx)
Park Avenue Family Health Center (Crotona–Tremont, Bronx)
Montefiore/Bronx Community Health Network
Comprehensive Family Care Center (Pelham–Throgs Neck, Bronx)
Family Care Center (Fordham–Bronx Park, Bronx)
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health
Sydenham Health Center (Central Harlem–Morningside Heights, Manhattan)
Gouverneur Health Center (Lower East Side, Manhattan)
The newly funded health centers are introducing buprenorphine treatment services for patients beginning in late 2018:
Center for Comprehensive Health Practice
Center for Comprehensive Health Practice (East Harlem, Manhattan)
Community Healthcare Network
Community Healthcare Network, Sutphin Boulevard (Jamaica, Queens)
Community Healthcare Network, Long Island City (Long Island City, Queens)
Family Health Centers at NYU Langone Health
Flatbush Family Health Center (East Flatbush–Flatbush, Brooklyn)
Park Ridge Family Health Center (Sunset Park, Brooklyn)
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Internal Medicine Associates (East Harlem, Manhattan)
Interfaith Medical Center
Bishop Orris G. Walker Jr. Health Center (Bedford-Stuyvesant–Crown Heights, Brooklyn)
Montefiore/Bronx Community Health Network
Family Health Center (Northeast Bronx, Bronx)
Williamsbridge Family Practice Center (Fordham–Bronx Park, Bronx)
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health
Vanderbilt Health Center (Stapleton–St. George, Staten Island)
William F. Ryan Community Health Network
Ryan/Chelsea-Clinton Community Health Center (Chelsea–Clinton, Manhattan
William F. Ryan Community Health Center (Upper West Side, Manhattan)
Treatment with buprenorphine or methadone is highly effective and can reduce the risk of overdose and death. Individuals seeking support or treatment for substance use issues for themselves or their loved ones can contact NYC Well by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL, texting “WELL” to 65173 or going to nyc.gov/nycwell. Free, confidential support is available at any hour of the day in more than 200 languages.
If you witness an overdose, call 911 immediately.