60E3A6BA9D44E86387258455005C4C7E Hearing Summary

Lisa Gawenus, Center for Addiction Medicine at Denver Health, presented on Denver Health's substance use disorder treatment services and the coordination of these services and distributed a handout (Attachment D). She spoke about various MAT services.

Ms. Gawenus discussed the evolution of Narcotic Treatment Program admissions. She responded to questions.

Ms. Gawenus spoke about the success the treatment on demand program has had in retaining patients.

She discussed the mission, vision and values of the Center for Addiction Medicine. She responded to questions.  Ms. Gawenus discussed the center's five year strategic goals.  She discussed the partnerships the center has across the region including training and telehealth consultations with rural providers.  She discussed the disparity between the cost of care provided to opioid-related hospitalizations and the reimbursement received.  She discussed the difference between the reimbursement rates for services provided to a patient with a diagnosis of substance use disorder and the reimbursement rate for services provided to a patient with a mental health diagnosis.

Ms. Gawenus discussed the treatment of comorbid substance use disorders and bolstering non-opioid treatment services provided to persons with other substance use disorders.