In response to the devastating impact of opioids on communities, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are increasingly seeking to provide evidence-based medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) for people with substance use disorder. While substantial progress has been made, FQHCs are still refining their approaches for providing OUD treatment and many still do not offer MOUD.

This case study series, developed by the Center for Health Care Strategies in partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts, explores how FQHCs are evolving to address the current opioid crisis through a variety of MOUD models. It demonstrates how four FQHCs located in areas across the country are practically integrating MOUD into clinical practice.

• A Federally Qualified Health Center and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Partnership in Rural Missouri – Certified community behavioral health clinics can be strong partners for FQHCs and help with the delivery of MOUD due to their expertise in mental health and substance use disorder treatment. This case study explores a partnership between a Missouri-based FQHC and certified community behavioral health clinic.
• El Dorado Community Health Centers: Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in Rural California through Community Partnerships – Fostering collaboration across diverse community partners can support prevention efforts, connect patients to comprehensive opioid use treatment services, and build broader opioid response efforts for the community at-large. This case study explores implementation of MOUD treatment at an FQHC in rural California that engages with the broader community to address the opioid epidemic.
• Greater Portland Health: Treating Patients at a Health Care for the Homeless Program in Maine – FQHCs with federal Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) funding provide a disproportionate share of MOUD — serving only three percent of overall health center patients, but 43 percent of patients receiving MOUD. This case study explores implementation of MOUD at an FQHC serving as an HCH program in Portland, Maine.
• VIP Community Services: An Opioid Treatment Program in the Bronx, New York – Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) are the only entities that can dispense methadone for the treatment of OUD and, as such, are a critical partner to FQHCs seeking to expand access to this effective form of MOUD. This case study explores implementation of an MOUD program at an organization in the Bronx, New York with a long history as an OTP that also operates an FQHC and a CCBHC.

See also a companion report, Opportunities to Promote Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Federally Qualified Health Centers, that outlines opportunities at the community health center, state, and federal levels to support the adoption of these medications.