Cascade Medical Advantage

Cascade Medical Advantage (CMA) provides medication-assisted treatment for people substance use disorder, primarily alcohol and opiate use disorder by specifically prescribing different medications based on the patients' needs and condition that help stabilize them and remain in recovery. This decreases mortality by 50%.Treatment is provided by physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and chemical dependency counselors and mental health counselors. When needed patients are referred to Detox (withdrawal management) centers or residential inpatient treatment facilities. We also assist patients bridge care from the regional hospitals to medication and outpatient treatment. Strengths:-CMA offers low barrier care (accepts essentially all insurances/uninsured; no penalty for missing appointments or relapsing; UDS is non-punitive; telemedicine is available).-CMA currently has on-site stock of Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine (LAIB - Sublocade, Brixadi) through a WA Health Care Authority grant utilizing Opioid big Pharma Lawsuit settlement funds, which assists patients getting onto long-acting treatment and overdose prevention. This decreases mortality by 50%.-We partner with the Whatcom County Health Department, and many local service agencies that provide outreach to homeless, SUD counseling, and housing. -Our Nurse Care Manager directly assists pregnant and parenting individuals access recovery. She teaches at our local hospital and around the community.-CMA has created a Community Resources for Substance Use Disorder Treatment guide which was distributed throughout the community and posted publicly on our website. -Our Perinatal Nurse Care Manager, Natalie Andrews, works in the community supporting pregnant and parenting people with opioid use disorder. She connects people to resources, including MOUD, OB care, inpatient and outpatient treatment, sober housing, and other support programs and helps them navigate complex care systems. She rounds on patients in the childbirth center of the local hospital, acting as an advocate for vulnerable families as well as a resource for the care team (physicians, nurses, and social workers). As part of her role, Natalie provides education on topics such as overdose response, stigma, trauma-informed care, and MOUD. Audiences include hospital nursing staff, community organizations, SUD providers, and college students. Natalie also participates in various committees including the PeaceHealth systemwide Perinatal SUD Workgroup, the Whatcom County Multi-Agency Coordination group to address the opioid crisis in our community, the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center's Eat, Sleep, Console committee, and the Whatcom County Perinatal Mental Health Taskforce.