‘Compassion, dignity, and hope’: New Rogers pilot meets patients where they are, reducing barriers to buprenorphine access
Rogers Behavioral Health is proud to announce a pilot program designed to improve access to the life-saving medication, buprenorphine, for the treatment of opioid use disorder. A multimillion dollar grant from the State of Wisconsin will support the launch of a telehealth pilot called the Wisconsin Opioid Recovery Telehealth Immediate Treatment (WORTH IT) program.
Rogers’ Wisconsin-based telehealth buprenorphine program will make buprenorphine available to people with opioid use disorder on the same or next business day they establish contact via telephone. Buprenorphine is FDA-approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder and is considered the gold standard treatment. It helps to reduce cravings for opioids, reduces withdrawal symptoms, and is associated with a reduction in overdose deaths among people who struggle with nonmedical use of opioids.
“This pilot is an exciting opportunity to expand access to life-saving treatment,” says Matt Boyer, MD, addiction psychiatrist. “We’re designing the program to be accessible to people who face barriers in traditional models of care.”
Additionally, Rogers is removing traditional barriers to the medication such as abstinence, urine drug testing or mandatory therapy.
“Our goal is simple,” says Michelle Maloney, PhD, NCSE, LPC, CAADC, CRPS, executive director of Addiction Services. “We want to meet people where they are and support them with compassion, dignity, and hope.”
The new program, which begins July 21 for internal referrals and August 1, 2025, will initially be piloted in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Dane counties in Wisconsin before being rolled out to the rest of the state in Fall 2025.
“The number of emergency room visits and deaths due to opioid use are higher in these counties, as is the treatment gap,” she explains. “While we welcome everyone, we’re especially focused on reaching people who often face the biggest challenges in having access to care.”
WORTH IT is for anyone 16 and older living with an opioid use disorder (OUD) residing in Wisconsin, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
“We work hard to make sure our care is respectful, culturally competent, and judgment-free,” Dr. Maloney says.
Optional wraparound services include therapy and counseling, case management, OB/GYN referrals for pregnant and postpartum patients, ongoing medication management and recovery support, and harm reduction education and resources.
Funding for the WORTH IT program is made possible by SAMHSA and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services through the State Opioid Response grant.
You can email WORTHIT@rogersbh.org to learn more.
