The Patient Advocacy Program is a point of contact and resource coordinator for patients prescribed controlled substance medications who abruptly lost access to care.
Additionally, the Program connects with patients to learn more about concerns related to the prescribing of opioids and other controlled substances, access to prescriptions, and barriers to finding a doctor and is available to help patients think through steps to address access to care barriers. The Program communicates patient feedback with internal and external stakeholders to inform coordinated, patient-centered healthcare in Pennsylvania.
The Patient Advocacy Program is not a health advocate program that will contact a patient’s healthcare provider or attend healthcare appointments. Please note, this Program is specifically for patients who are prescribed controlled substances.
Contact the Patient Advocacy Program
Email ra-dh-advocacy@pa.gov or call 844-377-7367 (option 3), Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm EST.
Please note, patients may choose to remain anonymous and are not required to share personal information such as their healthcare provider's name or prescription history. In addition, the Program does not have access to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program system and will only know medical or prescription history if the patient chooses to share that information.
Where Patients Can Seek Care
When patients suddenly lose access to their healthcare provider, they may feel they have no other options but to turn to other sources to avoid withdrawal. This greatly increases their risk of overdose.
We want you to know help is available.
The following steps are recommended to patients when they suddenly lose access to their healthcare provider.
Patients Prescribed Opioids or Benzodiazepines
- If you have a primary care provider, contact them to discuss next steps in care.
- If you do not have a primary care provider or if they are unable to provide care, find a provider by calling the number on the back of your health insurance card or check your insurer's website for in-network providers.
- If you do not have health insurance, you may consider seeing a community healthcare provider at a health center near you. Visit: findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
Patients Prescribed Buprenorphine (Suboxone or Subutex)
- If you have health insurance, you may call the number on the back of your health insurance card or check your insurer's website for in-network providers.
- Or search online for providers who may prescribe buprenorphine. Visit: treatmentatlas.org
- Patients who are prescribed buprenorphine (or another medication) as part of treatment for an opioid use disorder may also visit ddap.pa.gov for more treatment resources and information.
- As of January 2023, a DATA-waiver (also known as an X-waiver) is no longer needed for healthcare providers to prescribe buprenorphine to treat patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Buprenorphine remains a Schedule III controlled substance and prescriptions for buprenorphine require a standard DEA registration. There are no longer limits or patient caps on the number of patients a provider may treat for OUD with buprenorphine.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or are having trouble coping, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Patients seeking mental health and behavioral health services are recommended to contact their County Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities (MD/ID) Program Office. Mental health services in Pennsylvania are administered through the county mental health and intellectual disabilities program offices.
Download our "Where to Seek Care" handout to share this information.
Download our "Where to Seek Care" handout in Spanish.
Avoid Withdrawal
When a patient who has been treated with opioids, benzodiazepines, or other controlled substances, suddenly loses access to a healthcare provider, the patient may be at risk of severe physical and mental withdrawal if care is not re-established. Withdrawal symptoms happen when a patient takes less of their medication than they are used to or when they stop taking their medication abruptly.
Withdrawal symptoms do not happen because a patient has done something wrong.
Detoxification, or detox programs, are structured to help patients safely and more comfortably manage the withdrawal process. To access these services, patients will first complete an assessment to determine the appropriate level of care.
The following options are recommended for accessing assessment and detox programs:
- If you have health insurance, you may call the number on the back of your health insurance card or check your insurer's website to find a detox provider/program.
- Search online for detox providers or treatment programs. Visit: www.treatmentatlas.com to answer a few questions and learn what treatment type might be right for you.
- Patients may also contact their local Single County Authority (SCA) to learn more about assessment and treatment services, including options for detoxing. Look up the SCA in your County here.
- In the case of a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your local Emergency Room immediately.
Avoid Opioid Overdose
Anyone taking opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, or fentanyl should carry Naloxone to prevent overdose. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose and, as of September 2023, naloxone is now available over the counter. Naloxone is also available through a state-wide standing order, which means you do not need a prescription. Most pharmacies and hospitals carry naloxone. Learn more about naloxone.
Find Treatment
Help is available for those battling substance use disorder. Call the Get Help Now Hotline at 1-800-662-4357 or visit ddap.pa.gov for treatment information.
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and Controlled Substance Prescribing
In 2020, the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) was first declared allowing flexibilities to telehealth regulations for controlled substance (CS) prescribing to help patients access prescribed CS medications during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) jointly with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended telemedicine flexibilities regarding the prescribing of CS through December 31, 2024. These extended flexibilities include:
- A practitioner can prescribe a controlled substance to a patient using telemedicine, even if the patient isn't at a hospital or clinic registered with the DEA.
- Qualifying practitioners can prescribe buprenorphine to new and existing patients with opioid use disorder based on a telephone evaluation.
For more information and resources below:
- Second Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications
- In May 2023, HHS published a fact sheet about the future of federal telehealth flexibilities for patients and providers, including access to telehealth services for substance use treatment.
- The DEA developed a telemedicine frequently asked question (FAQ) section of their website.
- The DEA released guidance on the use of telemedicine while providing medication assisted treatment (also known as medications for opioid use disorder).
- Healthcare providers who have questions about telemedicine in Pennsylvania should contact their relevant Pennsylvania Licensing Board. A list of Board contacts can be found here: Board Contacts (pa.gov). Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of State offers a telemedicine FAQ page.
Partners
The Patient Advocacy Program involves the collaboration of multiple agencies including the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and Pennsylvania Department of State.
Patient Advocacy Program Frequently Asked Questions
The Patient Advocacy Program does not offer advocacy services related to general encounters with a healthcare facility or patient navigation. Read more about the goals of the Patient Advocacy Program at the top of this webpage. Consider the following resources if you or a loved one are seeking general patient advocacy resources: Call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211. PA 211 can connect you with a resource specialist who may be able to help you navigate your situation. Or contact the healthcare system directly. Some health systems have patient advocates or social work departments. You may also consider contacting your health insurance. Some insurance providers offer advocate services.
The Patient Advocacy Program does not offer medication cost assistance. Call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211. PA 211 can connect you with a resource specialist who may be able to help you navigate your situation. Pennsylvania’s PACE and PACENET programs help qualified residents, age 65 and up, get prescription medicine at a lower cost. Learn more about PACE. Additional resources may exist for patients. For example, NeedyMeds may offer drug discount cards for certain prescriptions. Search by drug on the website at needymeds.org.
Contact your insurance provider directly if you have a question about coverage. If your insurance is not covering a medication or if it is too expensive, speak with your healthcare provider about potential alternatives. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) is available to help consumers understand their options for dealing with insurance-related questions and problems. Learn more about PID consumer services.
The Patient Advocacy Program does not handle healthcare facility complaints. However, the Department of Health license and regulate in-patient healthcare facilities, like nursing homes and hospitals. Learn more about these services and how to submit a complaint.