Mind the gap: a quality improvement study to determine health care value of rapid-access telemedicine addiction treatment in recently incarcerated individuals

The time period post release after incarceration represents a vulnerable time with exceedingly high risk of opioid overdose, death, and poor access to healthcare. The provision of MOUD via telemedicine offers a potentially lifesaving access point to limit overdoses post-release and provide an avenue for meaningful engagement. The RIvER Clinic model shows that offering telemedicine bridge prescriptions for MOUD prior to in person engagement can bridge an important gap and improve healthcare access. This innovative care model shows high in-person treatment engagement, a reduction in ED utilization, and a reduction in rates of overdose mortality.