Implementing a Hub and Spoke Treatment Model in Our Communities

With the urgent need for treatment for opioid use disorder in our communities, a steering committee comprised of clinical representative from the MaineHealth network developed an integrated “hub and spoke” model. This treatment model links our specialty behavioral health programs (hubs) with primary care practices (spokes) so that we are able to offer evidence-based integrated medication assisted treatment options in healthcare settings that best meet individual needs.

The hub and spoke treatment model supports the treatment of opioid use disorder within the chronic disease paradigm. The Integrated Medication Assisted Treatment (IMAT) model is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorder. Patient acuity ranges from mild to severe opioid use disorder and level of services and appropriate sites of care vary based upon acuity and circumstances

The MaineHealth IMAT treatment model includes intensive hubs within specialty behavioral health settings for the highest level of treatment, as well as intermediate and spoke levels of care where treatment is delivered in patient centered medical homes (primary care settings). Through the hub, intermediate, and spoke continuum, individuals are able to receive individualized treatment based on their level of need.

MaineHealth has made patient enrollment in treatment through the hub and spoke model a strategic goal and has a target of 900 patients served system-wide in fiscal year 2018.