Codes
How many codes are there?
There are 8 codes in total:
Code 6, Code 5, Code 4, Code 3, Code 2, Code 1, Code T, Code M. Codes 4 and 2 are usually skipped.
The number/letter tells you how many days you come in
When you have a UA hold, when should you present to the treatment center?
Same day before end of dosing. Check with your specific clinic for any possible exceptions.
When you have a bottle check hold, when should you present to the treatment center?
By end of dosing the following day. Contact the clinic if there are any barriers. If a hold is present on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday present on Monday.
Please check with your clinic for any exceptions.
What are the primary factors in initially advancing your code?
30 days of consistent dosing.
No missed counseling in the past 60 days and all counseling components completed.
Having a negative UA (amount of negatives change at different code levels)
All prescriptions are provided to the medical team, and medical labs/exams completed. Over due annual physical can delay advancing in code.
Which code call the call in line each day?
Codes 1, T, and M. Depending on your clinic, code 2 may be required to call in as well.
Code 3 allows patients to take home how many medications?
Four: most patients come in Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to pick up medications.
Cannot have more than 2 take homes at a time.
Codes 1, T, and M should call the call in line how often?
365 days a year plus leap year day: February 29
Call in every single day, including weekends and holidays.
On the day of a bottle check, when do you take your dose?
When I present to the window, in front of the dosing nurse.
Self pay patients or patients with a co pay or deductible must do what when picking up medication ?
Pay my balance on the day I come in to pick up medication. Payment plans are an option if needed. Not doing so can decrease your code.
When (time) do you call the call in line?
The call in line switches over at midnight. Call with enough time to get to the clinic to complete a UA if you have one.
True or False: Paperwork from pharmacy medication refills, hospitalization, anesthesiologist, herbal remedies, vitamins should be turned immediately to support compliance to maintain my code.
True
Unless you disclose you are taking methadone, a doctor or pharmacist will not know you are taking it. Some things interact poorly or are less effective while on methadone. Our docs act as an extra safety.
When a UA is dilute, is it considered negative or positive?
It is considered positive. Refusal of a UA is also considered a positive UA result.
Check in with your primary care provider is dilute UAs are a chronic issue for you.
What order should you take your take home medications in?
By the date on the bottle label. Taking them in the correct order helps protect against accidentally dosing twice in the same day.
You can number bottles on the top of the cap (do not black out your info) if you have trouble reading the dates.
What happens if you are decreased a code?
You'll be contacted by clinic staff to explain the decrease.
If decreased due to call in issues, may need to complete this group again.
Wait 30 Days from the date that the code was decreased before re-advancing. Codes do not change until medications are picked up, so may not be exactly 30 days.
What happens if you do not call the call in line daily?
You are likely to miss a UA or bottle check which will decrease your code.
Not calling in daily can also delay going up in code. There is a record of if someone call or not and if they were scheduled for testing.
Holiday Schedules or Clinic Closures may cause take home schedules and testing dates to be altered- remember to:
Present for a bottle checks or UA the next Business Day after holiday or closure.
Be proactive and call my counselor the day before severe weather might impact my pickup
UA’s or bottle checks scheduled for Saturday or Sunday will be on next business day.
Make sure your contact info is up to date so you may be notified of unexpected closures.
If you have a UA during a bottle check, or a doctor's visit does this count towards your monthly, random UA?
No, you should always have a UA with a bottle check or doctor appointment.
What does a bottle check look like?
Bring in all your medication bottles/empty and full to the nursing staff and any/all prescriptions. Bottles may be checked with a flashlight or weighed.
Take dose in front of nurse.
Complete a UA.
What are the common reasons you could be decreased a code?
Missed UA or bottle check (call medication line daily)
Positive/dilute UAs
Missed Counseling/Medical appointments
Not bringing in refilled prescription medication. Certain medications may need care coordination (ROI) with another provider to ensure safety.
Actual Diversion: Taking more or less medication than prescribed or losing medication. May result in dropping multiple codes.
If medication is stolen, you must file a police report and bring in a copy.
Positive UAs for alcohol may result in dropping multiple codes. If ongoing issues with positive alcohol UAs, see primary care provider. Some medical conditions can cause this such as diabetes. You will need a diagnosis.
You are also likely to be decreased in code if you are arrested or placed on an M1 hold.
What would a bottle check hold sound like when calling the call in line?
“You are scheduled to visit the treatment center by the end of dosing hours on xx/xx/xxxx (date). Please bring all prescribed medication bottles whether full or empty with you to the treatment center. Please remember to also bring your take home dose with you which you will ingest at the treatment center. Failure to comply may affect your treatment status. Thank you for calling BHG.”
What should you do if you need to pick up early due to bad weather?
Call ahead to notify us you need to pick up early.
An early pickup is treated like a bottle check, take your dose as if you were presenting for a bottle check. Expect to complete a UA.
True or False: If I forget to call the call in line, the system will let me know what I missed the next day.
False.
If you call the call in line, but forget what it said, you CAN call again the same day, it will give you the same answer.
Call the call in line: Everyday, 365 days a year plus leap year
If an emergency arises and I cannot make it to the clinic, what could you do?
In some areas, you can go to a hospital ER and ask to be evaluated for your dose. Be aware of what insurance you have.
Check with your clinic to see if there are hospitals in the area who provide this service (Colorado Springs does not have this available) or any other options to support compliance.
Contact case manager about guest dosing if you are closer to another clinic.
What happens if you miss dosing?
Counselor will follow up with you as to why you missed. If this becomes a pattern of missing your pickup day, your code may be decrease. Your pickup day can be changed to support compliance, but not frequently.
When traveling or taking an out of town vacation and on code 1, T, or M, what should you do to stay in compliance with the call in line?
Please notify clinic staff prior to your travel what dates you will be gone. This allows for time to accomodate possible extra support or change in pickup needs.
Call the call in line daily. Keep receipts from your travels, these prove you were unable to complete testing.
If you are called for testing while traveling or on vacation, you must present to complete that testing when you return from your trip.