Centralizing MOUD Access: Removing Barriers through a Statewide Telemedicine Hotline

Friday, April 25, 2025

3:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Presenter(s)

Maria Bruni, PhD

Chief Program Officer
Family Guidance Centers, Inc.
Chicago, Illinois
Miao J. Hua, MD, PhD, MPH

Medical Director
Chicago Department of Public Health
Chicago, Illinois
Nicole M. Gastala, MD

Medical Director
Illinois Department of Human Services
Chicago, Illinois

This session seeks to provide key information about implementing strategies to provide low barrier, immediate access to the medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (MOUD) for persons with OUD. The presenters will draw on their experience establishing MAR NOW, a statewide telemedicine MOUD helpline that has linked over 2,500 callers with OUD to medication and follow-up services since May 2022.

Learning Objectives:

Learners will be able to:

Increase understanding about the regulatory changes allowing greater flexibility for low barrier access to the medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (MOUD).
Increase knowledge about the key program components for a successful low barrier MOUD program, including telehealth to ensure immediate access to medications for persons with OUD.
Increase knowledge about the fiscal and budgetary considerations for establishing and maintaining a low barrier MOUD program.

Disclosure(s):

Maria Bruni, PhD: No financial relationships to disclose

Miao J. Hua, MD, PhD, MPH: No financial relationships to disclose

Nicole M. Gastala, MD: No financial relationships to disclose