Opioid Prescribing and MOUD

Opioid Prescribing Rule

Enacted in 2017 and updated in 2024 the Rule Governing the Prescribing of Opioids for Pain provides legal requirements for the appropriate use of opioids in treating pain in order to minimize opportunities for misuse and diversion and optimize prevention of addiction and overdose.

Required Patient Handouts

Reduction and Discontinuation

HHS Guide for Clinicians on the Appropriate Dosage Reduction or Discontinuation of Long-Term Opioid Analgesics

Overdose Prevention

Know OD provides harm-reduction information for people who use opioids about preventing and reversing overdose. healthvermont.gov/KnowOD

Overdose Reversal Medication

Naloxone (Narcan® nasal spray) is a medication that can easily reverse an overdose when administered as quickly as possible after an overdose. Vermont Law (18 VSA ß 4240 (c)) allows health care professionals to distribute an opioid antagonist to a person who is at risk of overdose – or to a family member, friend or other person in a position to help

Learn more about naloxone

Medication for Opioid Use Disorders (MOUD)

Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) (formerly known as Mediation Assisted Treatment or MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of opioid use disorder.

MOUD Resources

MOUD (MAT) 101

An introduction to Medication Assisted Treatment (September 2021)

Presentation (PDF)
Video (below)

State of Vermont MOUD Rules

Any buprenorphine or methadone prescriber is responsible for complying with these rules.

Vermont Rules & Regulations

Provider Clinical Support System (PCSS)

Resources for health professionals, patients and community. Includes consent documents as referenced in the MOUD rule.

Visit PCSS

Vermont Opioid Treatment Programs Screening Guidelines

The primary goal of MOUD is to improve overall patient wellness. It is recommended that a comprehensive screening for drugs misuse be completed upon entering opioid treatment programs.

VT MOUD Screening Guidelines

MOUD Factsheet

MOUD (MAT) fact sheet including assessing the evidence, dosage and treatment limits, MOUD and pregnancy and risks.

MOUD Factsheet

VT Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP)

Recommendations for providers on the management of opioid dependence during pregnancy.

VCHIP Resources

Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS)

The Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS) is a database of controlled substance prescriptions dispensed by Vermont licensed pharmacies that helps prescribers and pharmacists make better evidence-based clinical decisions and limit diversion.

Learn more about VPMS