Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Pathway Healthcare Frequently Asked Questions

Read our frequently asked questions to learn more about our offices. If you do not find your answer here, feel free to contact us, anytime.



What is detoxification?

Detoxification (Detox) is the process of allowing the body to rid itself of drugs while managing the symptoms of withdrawal. It is often the first step in a drug treatment program and should be followed by treatment with a behavioral-based therapy and/or a medication. Detox alone, with no follow-up, is not treatment and will not work.

Will detox cure me?
No. Detox alone, with no follow-up, is not treatment. Pathway Healthcare’s MAT Plus® takes a multidisciplinary approach to addiction and dependency treatment. Treatment will likely include detox, medication, and therapy. Addiction is defined as a chronic relapsing brain dependency. Drug dependency is defined as a psychological craving for a chemical substance. In particular, the use of drugs and alcohol changes the way the brain functions, and requires a multidisciplinary approach including on-going behavioral therapy and counseling. Pathway treats addiction and dependency just like any other medical disease.

What is MAT Plus® ?
Pathway Healthcare takes a multidisciplinary approach to addiction and dependency treatment with MAT Plus®, providing medication-assisted treatment, counseling, case management, and peer support services. We believe you must focus on more than just treating the body. It is vital to treat the physical, psychological, and social symptoms of addiction and dependency.

Is addiction or dependency a moral issue?
No. Just like any disease or use disorder, there are many factors that lead toaddiction or dependency. Like type II adult onset diabetes, it has many components. Lifestyle, genetics, and exposure to substances are just a few contributing factors. But once substance use disorder manifests itself, treatment is necessary.

Is addiction or dependency as simple as a choice?
No. There is no way of precisely predicting which initial decision actually opened the door to a later loss of free-choice capacity in a person who has become addicted or dependent on drugs or alcohol. Was it the adolescent drink, the cigarettes, or the experimentation with an illegal substance? Once established, the individual suffering from this disease or dependency cannot will themselves to be healthy any more than a person with heart disease can will their heart back to perfect working order, or a person with diabetes can will their body’s insulin response to return to normal. (NIH, Advancing Addiction Science; Addiction and Free Choice, February 18, 2014)

How many people suffer from addiction dependency or use disorders?
In the United States, 23.5 Million people are addicted to alcohol and drugs. This means the number of Americans with addiction is greater than those with heart disease, diabetes or cancer.

What treatment is necessary?
Treatment involves education about the disease, lifestyle changes, counseling, and medication.

Will I need all the treatments?
Not necessarily. Some people might respond merely to education that leads to lifestyle changes while others might need a combination of education, lifestyle changes, counseling, and medication.

Is Prescription Medication all that is involved in treatment?
Pathway Healthcare takes a multi disciplined approach to addiction treatment with MAT Plus®. In addition to medication assisted treatment, patients will participate in both individual and group counseling programs. these are offered through our outpatient services. To further provide patients with the resources needed to fully recover and rebuild, Pathway Healthcare, through our partner networks, gives a patient access to complimentary community and faith-based addiction programs.

Aren’t you just prescribing another drug?
No. As treating diabetes with insulin is about preventing blindness, amputation or loss of life, the treatment of drug or alcohol addiction or dependency with certain medications is about preventing loss of self, family, education, employment, and loss of life. Medications like Buprenorphine/Naloxone or Vivitol are different from the full agonists (euphoria-producing drugs) to which people usually become addicted. Pathway prescribes medication that helps end the craving for euphoria.

How long will I need the medication?
The length of medication assisted treatment varies from individual to individual. Recovery is multi-faceted and there are no time limits applied to the process. Life-repair is the ultimate goal, and if medication has shown a benefit to you and your recovery, then it should be considered long term. Just as a diabetic treats their disease with medication, addiction and dependency can be treated the same way: without the restraint of time. You and your counselors will be the best judge of recovery and the need to continue medication.

Will my insurance pay for my treatment?
Every insurance company and policy is different with respect to coverage, deductibles, and co-pays; it is wise to contact your insurance carrier. Pathway Healthcare accepts most major insurances. We will be happy to assist in determining if your insurance covers Pathway Healthcare treatment.

Will I be treated with compassion and respect?
Yes. At Pathway Healthcare, our mission is to remove the stigma of addiction, dependency and other substance use disorders. We treat every patient with kindness and respect. We are here to help you.

What is psychiatric medication management?
Psychiatric medication management is a treatment method used by your medical provider that focuses on the use of psychotropic medications in the short term and the long term for the treatment of mental health diagnosis.  It includes educating the patient on the medication, monitoring the safety and effects, and ongoing visits to ensure the continued symptom improvement.

What psychotropic medications?
Psychotropic medications are simply medications that are capable of affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior. 

If I want mental health counseling, do I have to see a psychiatrist?

Pathway Healthcare counselors are trained and experienced in a treating a wide range of mental health diagnosis.  Using proven assessments and other therapeutic tools, each patient is evaluated at intake and periodically throughout treatment.  Those evaluations may indicate that the patient could benefit from seeing a Pathway psychiatrist for possible medication management.  If that is the case, your counselor will make the appropriate recommendations and referrals and will always continue providing excellent therapy, even when the care of a psychiatrist is needed. 

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATPLUS®)

Pathway Healthcare Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

MATPlus®

Our proprietary approach to MAT is MATPlus®, our wrap-around services, and commitment to long-term treatment sets our MAT treatment apart from the rest. We offer peer support and individual, family, and group counseling opportunities. Our Pathway and Impact medical professionals are specialist in the addiction and mental health communities and are passionate about recovery and committed to their patient’s long-term maintenance of sobriety and behavioral health.

About Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a treatment approach that combines behavioral counseling with medication. Counseling is the main focus of MAT, and a prescription for medication is provided under the guidance of a medical doctor. What makes MAT the most effective treatment program is its provision of custom patient treatment plans developed based on each patient’s unique cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

The treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) and addiction has progressed substantially over the past 50 years. We have an excellent arsenal of therapies to combat this chronic disease and evidence shows us that to have productive, long-term positive outcomes treatments must combine medication with other services like medical, behavioral, individual, and group counseling.

Medication-Assisted Treatment provides freedom that allows patients to keep their job, family life, and social obligations. Essentially, a patient learns how to recover in their typical day to day setting. This is beneficial as many patients who leave their normal environments for treatment experience difficulty returning and trying to cope as they respond to the stimulants that remind them of their past behavior.

Medication Options

Medication options for MAT are Buprenorphine, Naloxone, and Suboxone. These medications have different ways of stabilizing patients and should be recommended by a doctor to decide which is the best option for each patient.

Cost of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-Assisted Treatment is a low-cost option compared to the high expense of illegal drug use, inpatient or residential treatment, or the considerable fees of relapse associated with programs without effective treatment plans.

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) with MATPLUS®

Pathway Healthcare Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid Dependence and Addiction

Opioid Dependence is a substance use disorder caused by a brain abnormality that results in the need to continue to take drugs to avoid withdrawals.  Opioid Addiction is a substance use disorder caused by a chronic disease resulting in intense drug craving and compulsive use. (The difference between opioid dependence and opioid addiction are behavioral withdrawal symptoms that present themselves with opioid addiction).

Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Patients that have been on long-term pain medications have a high probability of developing opioid dependence or addiction; remaining on the drug even after the pain has subsided. For many affected individuals, physical cravings and compulsive behaviors are uncontrollable without the help of Medication-Assisted Treatment and behavioral counseling. Our proprietary approach, MATPlus® provides medication-assisted treatment, behavioral counseling, and wrap around services with a long-term commitment to your pathway of life-repair.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

Medication options for Opioid Use Disorder are Suboxone, Zubsolv, Bunavail, and Sublocade. All these medications are FDA-approved and are buprenorphine products. Buprenorphine is an FDA-approved, highly studied, and regulated medication used to help individuals recover from opioid addiction. It acts as a stabilizer in the body rather than as a narcotic. When taken as prescribed, buprenorphine helps patients function physically, emotionally, and mentally without impairment. It also aids patients in engagement with counseling services to reach healthy goals that benefit the whole person.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Alcohol Dependence and Addiction

Like other drugs, heavy alcohol use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and even abuse, which may require treatment. Patients that abuse alcohol experience severe withdrawals, including dangerous ‘delirium tremens’ (DTs) which is marked by confusion, shivering, sweating, irregular heartbeat, and even seizures.  Harmful drinking may be reduced or eliminated with a combination of medication, counseling, and peer support.

Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

Harmful drinking may be reduced or even eliminated with a combination of medication, counseling, and peer support. Pathway Healthcare’s proprietary approach, MAT Plus®, addresses alcohol use disorder at all levels using a holistic, multi-disciplined approach that incorporates medical and behavioral therapies. By combining medication-assisted treatment and focused, patient-specific counseling in the outpatient setting, MAT Plus® packages the latest evidence-based treatments for alcohol abuse to produce the best outcomes.

Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder

Medication options for Alcohol Use Disorder are Vivitrol, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate, in combination with a comprehensive alcohol treatment program, be useful in the treatment of alcohol abuse. These medications are FDA-approved and work on various aspects of alcohol dependence or abuse; some are helping with cravings, some euphoric blocking effects of alcohol to dissuade future consumption.

Smoking Cessation

About Smoking Cessation

Tobacco use often can create tobacco/nicotine dependence and develop smoking-related diseases. Smokers can quit smoking; tobacco/nicotine dependence is treatable. In fact, today, fewer people do smoke than those who do not.

Smoking Cessation Treatment

Our treatment approach for smoking cessation begins with understanding that evidence shows that like other substance use disorders, tobacco/nicotine dependence is best treated with a combination of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and behavioral counseling. Our holistic, MATPlus® approach to treatment allows for a successful path to recovery from tobacco/nicotine dependence.

Medication for Smoking Cessation

Medication options for smoking cessation are Wellbutrin and Chantix. Both drugs are FDA-approved, and under the care and guidance of Pathway or Impact Healthcare physician, the best medication for each individual can be identified.

Medicaid Patient Limitation Disclaimer

Please be advised that the federal government limits the number of patients to whom a physician may provide medication-assisted treatment for substance abuse.  As a result, Pathway Healthcare, LLC (“Pathway”) finds it necessary to limit the number of patients at each of its treatment facilities (each a “Facility”) whose primary source of coverage for treatment is, or is anticipated to be, Medicaid (“Medicaid Patients”).  Pathway reserves the right to limit the number of Medicaid Patients treated at each Facility based on that Facility’s own internal, legally-compliant policy.  Certain Facilities have a policy of declining Medicaid as a form of payment.   Other Facilities will make a determination whether to accept a new Medicaid Patient based exclusively on carefully-maintained data regarding the number of Medicaid Patients already served at that particular Facility. The Facility at which any patient seeks treatment will provide a copy of its policy regarding Medicaid Patients upon request.

Pathway strictly adheres to all federal and state discrimination laws and does not discriminate against any current or prospective patients based on race, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, religion, creed, handicap, disability, age, marital status, familial status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, medical condition, or other personal features.  Since state Medicaid laws vary and Pathway has Facilities in multiple states, please ask your local Facility if you would like to receive a copy of its policy regarding Medicaid Patients.  

Each Facility will provide the name of at least one alternative healthcare practitioner to any Medicaid Patient who seeks treatment at that Facility and is not accepted as a patient due to the Facility’s policy on Medicaid Patients. The Facility does not make any guarantees with respect to treatment results or outcomes of such alternative healthcare practitioner(s) or that any particular alternative healthcare practitioner will accept the prospective patient.

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.  PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Pathway Healthcare, LLC and its affiliates and subsidiaries are required by law to maintain the privacy of your medical information, to give you this Notice of Privacy Practices (“Notice”) describing its legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your medical information, to notify you of any breaches of your unsecured medical information, and to abide by the terms in this Notice.  This Notice applies to records of your care created and maintained by Pathway Healthcare, LLC and its affiliates and subsidiaries, including subsidiary physician practices and offices, and further including Impact Behavioral Counseling, LLC (the “Practices”). The Practices are required to abide by the terms of the privacy notice currently in effect. The Practices reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice for all records and will inform you by posting the revised notice on its website or by providing it to you in the same manner this Notice was provided to you.  

 

 

 

This Notice is effective March 3, 2017.

 

 

HOW THE PRACTICES MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION

The Practices may use your medical information only as permitted by HIPAA and other applicable federal laws, including those related to the confidentiality of records maintained by drug and alcohol treatment programs.  

DISCLOSURES MADE WITHOUT YOUR AUTHORIZATION –The following is a list of ways that the Practices are allowed to use your medical information without your consent or authorization.

 

 

For Treatment.  The Practices are permitted to use and disclose your medical information for treatment purposes.  For example, the nurse at the Practice might discuss your medical information with a lab technician or physician at the same Practice.  The Practices will not disclose your medical information to practitioners who are not working at the Practices without your consent.

 

For Health Care Operations. The Practices are permitted to use and disclose your medical information for healthcare care operations of the Practices.  For example, the Practice may disclose your medical information to review treatment and services to evaluate performance of its staff and for other management and administrative purposes. 

 

Appointment Reminders and Services.  The Practice may also use and disclose your medical information incident to a permitted use or disclosure. For example, it may use your medical information to remind you of services scheduled to be received, to inform you about possible treatment alternatives, or health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you. 

 

Business Associates/Qualified Service Organizations.  The Practices will also disclose your medical information with third party “Business Associates” who are “Qualified Service Organizations” that perform various activities on behalf of the Practices (for example, billing, legal, and network and software services) and agree to maintain the confidentiality of your medical information. 

 

In Medical Emergencies.  The Practices may use and disclose your medical information to medical personnel who have a need for such information for purposes of treating a condition that poses an immediate threat to any individual’s health and safety and which requires immediate medical intervention. The Practices must limit the disclosures to only that medical information which is necessary to treat the emergency condition.  

 

To Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect.  As required by law, the Practices will use and disclose your medical information when the law requires it to report suspected child abuse or neglect, but it will limit its use or disclosure to the relevant requirements of the law and only for initial reporting purposes. 

 

To Report a Crime on the Premises.  The Practices may disclose your medical information to law enforcement officers as necessary to report crimes and threats to commit crimes on the Practices’ premises or again Practices’ personnel.  However, any such disclosures must be limited to the circumstances of the incident and your patient status, name, address and last known whereabouts.  

 

Judicial and Administrative Proceedings.  The Practices may, and at many times are required by law, to disclose your medical information in response to a special court order and accompanying subpoena.  Federal regulations require the court order to be made only after certain procedures are strictly followed.

 

Research.  The Practices may use and disclose your medical information to researchers if the Practices’ program director(s) makes the determination to disclose your medical information in accordance with federal law, which includes that an institutional review board has approved such use and disclosure and whose approval ensures adequate safeguards have been taken to protect your medical information.

 

To Auditors and Evaluators.  The Practices may disclose your medical information to qualified persons who are conducting an audit or evaluation of the Practices, provided certain safeguards are met.  Additionally, the Practices will only disclose the amount of your medical information that is necessary for the purpose of the audit or evaluation.

 

Vital Statistics.  The Practices may disclose your medical information relating to causes of death if required by law to provide such information be reported to registries of vital statistics or as legally permitting inquiries into causes of death.

 

DISCLOSURES MADE ONLY WITH YOUR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION 

Other uses and disclosures of your medical information will be made only with your written authorization, unless otherwise permitted or required by law as described in this Notice. These uses and disclosures include most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes (where applicable), uses and disclosures for marketing purposes, and disclosures that constitute a sale of your medical information. You may revoke the authorization at any time, except to the extent that (i) the Practice has taken action in reliance thereon, or (ii) the authorization was obtained as a condition of obtaining treatment.  

 

YOUR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

The following are statements of your rights about medical information: 

Request Restrictions.  You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your medical information, by sending a written request specifying what information you want to limit and what limitations on the Practices’ use or disclosure of that information you wish to have imposed. The Practices reserve the right to accept or reject your request, and will notify you of its decision. However, the Practices will honor your request if your request restricts disclosure to your insurance company for payment or health care operations provided that you agree to fully pay and be solely responsible for such payment for the service or treatment that is the basis for your request for restriction.

Right to Inspect and Copy. You have the right to inspect and copy your records, with limited exceptions. In certain circumstances, the Practices may deny your request.  The Practices will respond, in most cases, within thirty (30) days of your request. It may charge a reasonable fee to accommodate your request. 

Request Amendment.  If you believe the Practices’ records are incomplete or inaccurate, you may request that the Practices change your medical information by submitting a written request and explaining the reason in support of the requested revision. The Practices reserve the right to deny your request in certain circumstances, including if the information you asked to amend was not created by the Practices.   

Request an Accounting of Disclosures.  You have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your medical information that the Practices have made. If you would like to have an accounting of disclosures that the Practices have made regarding your medical information, please contact the office listed at the bottom of this Notice.

Request a Paper Copy of This Notice.  You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this Notice, even if you have agreed to receive this Notice electronically.  You may request a copy of this Notice at any time.  In addition, you may obtain a copy of this Notice at the Practices’ website at: www.pathwayhealthcare.com.

Request Confidential Communications.  You have the right to request that you receive your medical information in a specific way or at a specific location. For example, you may ask that the Practices send information to a particular e-mail or to your work address. The Practices will comply with all reasonable requests submitted in writing which specify how or where you wish to receive these notifications, but the Practices will verify the authenticity of such request. You do not need to provide an explanation as to the basis for your request.

 

 

 

 

COMPLAINTS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may make a written complaint to the Practices or to the Secretary of HHS. To file a complaint with the Practices, please submit your compliant to privacy@pathwayhealthcare.com.

 

You will not be retaliated against if you file a complaint.  

 

You may also request additional information regarding how the Practices use your medical information by written request to:  

 

 

Pathway Healthcare, LLC

ATTN: Privacy Officer

1000 Urban Center Dr, Suite 600

Birmingham, AL 35242

 

 

0134482.0639914   4846-7454-5732v1