R.E.A.C.H. Mobile Health Services (MHS) has developed a waiting list for admission to grant funded treatment slots in adherence to requirements set forth by the Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration. Established policy and procedures outline the management of a waiting list for applicants seeking entry to medication-assisted substance abuse treatment at R.E.A.C.H. MHS.

In an effort to find a solution to the usual excessive waiting period for a funded treatment slot to become available, R.E.A.C.H. MHS has investigated, through research protocols, the efficacy of Interim Maintenance services as an alternative to waiting lists. After two successful research projects serving over 500 patients, the program has determined that providing Interim Maintenance services to applicants is not only an appropriate alternative but a more humane response to a plea for treatment.

R.E.A.C.H. MHS provides Interim Maintenance services in compliance with Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 8 and the Code of Maryland Regulations Title 10, Subtitle 47. Interim Maintenance services are limited to 120 days during which time the patients must be transferred into comprehensive treatment either at R.E.A.C.H. MHS or elsewhere if appropriate.

Interim Maintenance is currently a funded modality at R.E.A.C.H. MHS and it has become an integral part of the intake/assessment process. It not only allows for greater access to treatment at the outset, it is also a tool for maximizing utilization of treatment slots; once a slot comes available an appropriate Interim Maintenance patient can be immediately transferred into it instead of the time-consuming process of calling someone off a waiting list to be processed.

Every effort continues to be made to provide services to those in need without unnecessary delay. The Interim Maintenance modality of care allows R.E.A.C.H. MHS to respond more efficiently and more effectively to requests for treatment.