SNFs Cannot Deny Admission To Individuals Prescribed MAT For Opioid Addiction Treatment

A recent settlement between a skilled nursing facility (SNFs) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Civil Rights (OCR), makes it clear that SNFs cannot deny admission to residents taking medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as maintenance therapy for opioid addiction. Opioid use disorder/addiction (OUD) is a recognized disability under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). As a result, denying admission to a prospective resident only because the individual is in treatment for opioid addiction violates the ADA.

The settlement is with The Oaks, a SNF in . . .