Project Title: Alabama?s Demonstration Project to Increase Substance Use Provider Capacity (Alabama Provider Capacity Project or APCP) Applicant Name: Alabama Medicaid AgencyLocation: 501 Dexter Avenue, Suite 430, Montgomery, AL 36103 Website: https://medicaid.alabama.govProject Director: Kelli Littlejohn Newman, R.Ph., Pharm.D.Director, Clinical Services and SupportContact Information: (334) 353-4525/ Kelli.Littlejohn@medicaid.alabama.gov Category of funding requested: Demonstration Project to Increase Substance Use Provider Capacity - Planning PhaseTotal federal amount requested: $5,000,000Alabama?s Demonstration Project to Increase Substance Use Provider Capacity (Alabama Provider Capacity Project or APCP) proposes to increase substance abuse provider treatment capacity by creating a pipeline to expand provider participation options. The goal is to decrease the extent of health disparities particularly related to substance use disorders (SUD), which includes opioid use disorders (OUD) and its consequences in Alabama?s low-income communities. This project places great emphasis on promoting the principles of a whole person integrated care, a continuum of care and seamless coordinated care systems. The primary strategy is to strengthen current and future Medicaid health systems by developing and implementing best practices to reduce the morbidity and mortality of SUD through leveraging existing resources, facilitating new provider participation processes and utilizing telehealth technologies to intensify provider capacity.A preliminary analysis based on previously collected data indicates that the following activities must be implemented to develop an initial assessment: (1) establishment of a data repository for existing data which can be accessed by the APCP Director, (2) focus groups will be conducted, (3) telephone and online surveys will be developed and distributed and (4) collaboration with Alabama Department of Public Health and other
state data sources. Alabama Medicaid Agency in partnership with the Alabama Department of Mental Health will contract with consultants to guide activities to develop projections regarding the state goals for increasing the number, willingness and capacity of Medicaid providers offering SUD treatment services.