Primary Care Services Available for Uncomplicated MAT Patients

Best Practices for Primary Care Services for Patients in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

At our Outpatient Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinic in West Virginia, our mission has always been to treat the whole person—not just their opioid use disorder. Since April 2021, we’ve proudly offered comprehensive care for individuals on Suboxone® (buprenorphine) and other evidence-based treatments for opioid addiction.

As part of that commitment, we now provide Primary Care services for our current MAT patients. These services are designed to meet basic, non-complex medical needs—helping to ensure that our patients remain physically healthy and supported in their recovery journey.

We are not an urgent care center. Instead, we focus on providing accessible, preventive, and follow-up medical care for established patients who are stable in treatment and benefit from continuity of care within our clinic setting.

Why Offer Primary Care in a MAT Clinic?

Patients receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment often have co-occurring medical conditions, some of which may go untreated due to stigma, fragmented care, or difficulty navigating the healthcare system. By offering in-house primary care services for uncomplicated issues, we can:

Detect and manage common health conditions early
Improve patient retention and trust
Support overall wellness as part of recovery
Reduce unnecessary ER or urgent care visits
Promote a holistic model of care

When patients feel seen, supported, and respected in one setting, they are more likely to follow through with medical care and remain engaged in treatment.

Best Practices for Primary Care in the MAT Setting

Our primary care services are structured around proven best practices that prioritize safety, continuity, and high-quality care.

1. Established Patient Requirement

We provide primary care only for individuals already receiving MAT services at our clinic. This allows us to:

Understand the patient’s full medical and behavioral health history
Coordinate care with addiction treatment providers
Monitor for medication interactions and complications
Build long-term therapeutic relationships

Limiting primary care access to our existing MAT patients ensures focused, personalized care without overwhelming clinic resources.

2. Scope of Services for Uncomplicated Conditions

Our primary care offering is designed to manage non-complex, non-emergency health concerns that can be addressed in an outpatient setting. These include:

Blood pressure monitoring
Preventive screenings
Medication refills (non-controlled)
Basic wound care
Common infections (e.g., sinusitis, urinary tract infections)

We also provide rapid diagnostic testing for:

COVID-19
Influenza (Flu)
Strep throat

These quick tests help us identify and treat illnesses early—especially important in group or family settings where contagion risk is high.

3. Clear Limitations – We Are Not an Urgent Care

It’s important for patients to understand that we do not offer:

Emergency medical care
Imaging (X-rays, CT scans)
Sutures or fracture care
Management of complex or chronic illnesses requiring specialist intervention (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, heart failure)
On-demand walk-in visits for new patients

Our clinic is not equipped to replace a full-service primary care practice or urgent care facility. Instead, we serve as a supportive care extension for MAT patients with basic health needs.

4. Coordination With Specialists and Referrals

When a patient’s needs extend beyond our scope, we refer to trusted local providers, including:

Primary care physicians (PCPs) for long-term chronic care
Cardiologists, endocrinologists, and other specialists
Labs or imaging centers as needed

We also work collaboratively with other community healthcare partners to ensure follow-through and minimize disruptions to treatment.

5. Focus on Preventive Health and Wellness

Primary care isn’t just about managing illness—it’s also about preventing illness. Our clinic emphasizes:

Smoking cessation support
Nutrition and lifestyle counseling
Vaccination recommendations
Health screenings (blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol)

This whole-health approach helps reduce preventable complications and supports sustained recovery from opioid addiction.

6. Safe Medication Management

Many MAT patients are prescribed multiple medications. We carefully review all medications to:

Screen for drug interactions with Suboxone® or other MAT medications
Avoid overprescribing
Support safe, effective long-term treatment

All medication management is done in compliance with federal and state prescribing regulations.

7. Compassionate, Stigma-Free Environment

We recognize that many individuals in recovery have faced discrimination in healthcare settings. Our team is:

Trauma-informed
Nonjudgmental
Trained in addiction medicine and recovery support

By offering primary care in a familiar setting, we help break down barriers to care and encourage our patients to prioritize their health.

Benefits of Integrated Primary Care in a MAT Program

Convenience: One location for behavioral and medical care
Continuity: Providers who know your history and your goals
Trust: A clinical team that respects and understands addiction
Prevention: Early identification of health issues
Cost-Effective: Avoid unnecessary urgent care or ER visits

This model leads to better outcomes—not just for addiction recovery, but for life.

Are You a Current MAT Patient?
Ask About Primary Care Today.

If you’re currently enrolled in our MAT program and want to take better control of your physical health, we invite you to ask about our primary care services at your next visit.

Appointments are required for all primary care visits. Same-week availability is often possible for common issues like cold/flu symptoms, medication renewals, or preventive screenings.

Let us help you care for your whole self—because recovery means more than sobriety. It means wellness, empowerment, and a better future.

Primary Care Services Available for Uncomplicated MAT Patients

Best Practices for Primary Care Services for Patients in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Why Offer Primary Care in a MAT Clinic?

Best Practices for Primary Care in the MAT Setting

1. Established Patient Requirement

2. Scope of Services for Uncomplicated Conditions

3. Clear Limitations – We Are Not an Urgent Care

4. Coordination With Specialists and Referrals

5. Focus on Preventive Health and Wellness

6. Safe Medication Management

7. Compassionate, Stigma-Free Environment

Benefits of Integrated Primary Care in a MAT Program

Are You a Current MAT Patient?
Ask About Primary Care Today.

Insurance Companies that Delta is In-Network & Credentialed With

need help

681-456-0005

quick links

resources

Primary Care Services Available for Uncomplicated MAT Patients

Best Practices for Primary Care Services for Patients in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Why Offer Primary Care in a MAT Clinic?

Best Practices for Primary Care in the MAT Setting

1. Established Patient Requirement

2. Scope of Services for Uncomplicated Conditions

3. Clear Limitations – We Are Not an Urgent Care

4. Coordination With Specialists and Referrals

5. Focus on Preventive Health and Wellness

6. Safe Medication Management

7. Compassionate, Stigma-Free Environment

Benefits of Integrated Primary Care in a MAT Program

Are You a Current MAT Patient? Ask About Primary Care Today.

Insurance Companies that Delta is In-Network & Credentialed With

need help

681-456-0005

quick links

resources

Are You a Current MAT Patient?
Ask About Primary Care Today.