COMPA Symposium: Evaluating effects of new regulations and policy shifts
About this Event
COMPA Symposium: Evaluating the Effects of New Regulations and Policy Shift
Virtual Option Available for registered attendees
Continuing Education Units will be available
It has now been two years since new final, regulations from SAMHSA and the DEA regarding buprenorphine and methadone provided greater flexibilities for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The Coalition of Medic*tion-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates (COMPA) is hosting a full-day symposium to examine the impact of those changes—the first set of comprehensive regulatory updates in more than two decades — on patient care. At the same time, new policies have become final that make major changes to Medicaid eligibility, recertification, and work requirements, which jeopardize treatment for the majority of OUD patients in New York State.
Providers and policymakers will investigate the real-life benefits and challenges surrounding longer take-home medications, the removal of requirements for counseling as part of addiction treatment, and less burdensome admission requirements to access care. They will also explore how to keep patients in life-saving Medic*tion assisted treatment (MAT) and avoid interruptions in OUD services as new Medicaid policies are implemented.
Presentations and interactive panel discussions, informed by New York and national thought leaders, will provide data, analysis, insights, and possible action steps for a group of key stakeholders within the New York State addiction treatment landscape.
Event Summary
Join treatment providers and policymakers to discuss:
• What are some of the greatest benefits of the new flexibilities surrounding methadone and buprenorphine?
• What are the key challenges for implementing and maintaining the new treatment flexibilities?
• How do Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) balance new flexibilities with patient and community safety?
• How can New York’s OTPs preserve patient access to care amid federal changes to Medicaid?
The purpose of the symposium is to assess the two-year impact of new regulations from SAMHSA and to educate attendees on how to adapt to shifts in Medicaid patient eligibility and work requirements as we work to continue meeting the needs of a vulnerable patient population. The symposium will promote timely collaboration among stakeholders by fostering communication and encouraging meaningful dialogue.
Agenda
8:00 - 8:30 AM | Registration, Coffee and Refreshments
Meet our Sponsors!
8:30 - 8:45 AM | Welcome Remarks
Allegra Schorr, MS, President, COMPA; Patrick Seche, MS, Chief Administrative Officer, Department of Psychiatry, URMC; Itza Morales, MSB, CASAC, Senior Director of Operations, Addiction Psychiatry Division, URMC
8:45 - 10:00 AM | Opening Plenary
Chinazo Cunningham, MD, Commissioner of OASAS
10:00 - 10:45 AM | National Perspectives
Mark Parrino, MA, President of AATOD
10:45 - 11:00 AM | Break
11:00 - 11:45 AM | Morning Workshop: “Expanding Equitable Methadone Access and Utilization Throughout NYS” (COMeT) Study
Presentation of research conducted by OASAS PRIME. Zouleikha Moumen-Seridi, MS, NYS OASAS; Andrew J. McCabe, PhD, MPH, NYS OASAS
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM | Interactive Session on Digital Therapeutics
Victoria Pezzino, PsyD; Wonkyung Chang Kniffen, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC; Cory A. Crane, PhD; University of Rochester Medical Center, Digital Therapeutics
12:30 - 1:30 PM | Lunch Provided
1:30 - 2:30 PM | Afternoon Workshop: Clinical Panel - Opportunities and Challenges
A discussion of experiences over the last 2 years with a more flexible opioid treatment paradigm.
Moderator: Patricia Lincourt, LCSW, Deputy Commissioner of Programs, OASAS
Panel: Myra Mathis, MD, Clinical Chief, Division of Addiction Psychiatry, Strong Recovery; Brett Palmer, Physician Assistant, Conifer Park; Jose Rivera, Counselor/CASAC, VIP Community Services; James Anthony Ortiz, A.A.S. Social Science, BSN, RN, Director of Nursing Services, Acacia Network OASAS Programs
2:30 - 3:30 PM | Afternoon Workshop: Changes in Medicaid Requirements
Speakers: Trisha Schell-Guy, Esq., Director of the Division of Program Development and Management, NYS Department of Health, Office of Health Insurance Programs; Ilyana Meltzer, OASAS. They will discuss important changes to work requirements and recertification of Medicaid benefits that will be implemented as of January 1, 2027.
3:30 - 4:15 PM | Optional Facility Tour: Strong Recovery OTP
Itza Morales, MSB, CASAC, Senior Director of Operations, Addiction Psychiatry Division, URMC, will lead an on-site tour of Strong Recovery's Opioid Treatment Program at 2613 W. Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623 (about a six-minute drive).
Symposium Sponsors
COMPA thanks our sponsors for their generous support of this year's Symposium:
Cantata Health Solutions
New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 75.00 to USD 2500.00
