Aug 6, 2021
Membership organizations survive on dues. Without them, they die — and so does the advocacy they provide. Another name for advocacy — public policy — underscores the “public” aspect of treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). And the primary membership organization for private treatment providers is now expanding its categories to include the importance of “equity” in treatment.
Last week, Marvin Ventrell, CEO of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP), announced that the agenda of the organization “directs us to advocate for systemic policy that promotes the accessibility and quality of, and reimbursement for, treatment.”
But NAATP doesn't only advocate. It requires its members to adhere to best operational practices, so that patients and prospective patients know when they see the logo on a provider's website that the treatment organization has passed the test for fair marketing and other requirements of membership. This is likely why, while NAATP membership continues to grow, some providers are not members.
As treatment professionals, we have major challenges coupled with opportunities in front us, opportunities that can define the value-based care proposition. The keys at such intervals in history are awareness, vision, and timing. We have an opening, in part created by crisis, to ground our position, and for that we require a strong united community of professionals speaking with an intelligent collective voice. That is what we are working the achieve here at NAATP. - Ventrell told ADAW
While NAATP's education platform is based on the operational needs of treatment providers, its quality assurance program defines the core competencies of addiction treatment providers, and its directory helps patients find NAATP member treatment based on location. The research program provides data analysis focusing on efficacy of care. And its Diversity, Equity, & Inclusivity Program has the goal of remedying “inherent inequities of access that are a systemic ill of our culture at large,” said Ventrell in his Aug. 2 announcement.
These services have to change as the world changes, with increased addiction and the challenging environment of the pandemic. And the “tent” has to get bigger so that the entire continuum of care is included, said Ventrell.
So there are now two new categories of NAATP membership, going beyond the provider membership, which remains as is:
- Recovery Support Services/Supporter Members will now consist of and be limited to organizations that offer recovery support to current patients and individuals living in or seeking recovery. This includes recovery residences, recovery coaching, peer support and other nonlicensable offerings that support recovery. They will be found, together with the providers, in the NAATP Addiction Industry Directory.
- Affiliate Members, delivering the operational services needed by NAATP's providers, composed of billing, web design, electronic medical records and other vendor services. Affiliates will have a new affiliate directory, which coexists on the NAATP website to showcase and increase searchability and connection to their provider and supporter customers.
NAATP is a community, a community of like-minded professionals who represent the best the field has to offer. As the field at large has struggled and continues to fight through these tough times, our membership has increased, and our work has expanded in response to ever-increasing demands. - Marvin Ventrell
Author: Alison Knopf
Wiley - ADAW Online
Access Full ADAW Article Published 06 Aug 2021
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