Addiction Treatment FAQs
As one of the nation’s leading providers of substance use disorder treatments, we strive to provide comprehensive support to our patients. Learn more about our programs and find the answers to frequently asked questions below.
Our Guest Dosing Program
We understand that circumstances arise that you cannot make it to your “home” clinic to receive medication. Community Medical Services offers dosing options to individuals who have planned travel away from a CMS clinic or are enrolled in other opioid treatment programs. Learn more about our guest dosing program or contact us to set up your dose.
For Patients
Medical Records Requests
If you are trying to request records from Community Medical Services, here’s how:
As a client of CMS you are have a legal right to request your records at any time. Please fill out a formal Request for Treatment Records form and provide the filled out form to your clinic.
If you are requesting your records to be provided to an outside agency you will need to fill out and sign an ROI for that agency, preferably by talking to the staff at your clinic.
Please keep in mind that a CMS client request of their own records can take up to 5 business days, but we will do our best to get those fulfilled as soon as possible. Requests from outside agencies take a minimum of 2 weeks.
Medicaid
In March 2020, due to COVID-19, states were able to pause redeterminations of Medicaid eligibility. In December 2022, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA) stating that each state will begin resuming routine eligibility determinations in 2023.
What does this mean if you use your state’s Medicaid program? This is simply a “return to normal” operations for your state. Participants will not be automatically re-enrolled in Medicaid programs and are required to keep their contact information and other important personal details up-to-date with the state as the state requests it.
We’ve gotten questions from many of our clients, and therefore compiled some informational links for the states in which we operate. If you are unclear on where your state stands in this process, please click the link for your state below for more information.
Comments, Complaints, or Suggestions
Are you willing to tell us about your experiences with our clinic? We have surveys available in every lobby. Ask the front desk staff.
To file a complaint or concern please contact the Client Ombudsman.
- Phone: 480-977-1444
- Email: CMSOmbudsman@CMSgiveshope.com
The mission of the client ombudsman is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and responsiveness of Community Medical Services (CMS) by receiving complaints, investigating complaints and addressing those complaints with the client as well as the clinical staff. We provide an independent check to make sure administrative acts are addressed and corrected, while helping clients and medical staff to understand CMS policy, procedures, and statutes better.
The ombudsman will do everything they can to listen to, understand, and resolve the client’s complaints. Their goal is to help prevent systemic concerns from happening again to another client and influence positive change within the CMS system.
Confidentiality and Privacy Practices
Our confidentiality and privacy notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
Medical Records Requests
If you are requesting records for a client please be sure to
- Email your request to cmsrecordrequest@cmsgiveshope.com
- Fax it to 480-781-4506
Please make sure the clients Name, DOB & clinic are listed in your request in order for us to better assist you.
We will be unable to disclose records if the release/authorization does not meet HIPAA requirements as well as the even more stringent requirements of 42 CFR Part 2.
Coordination of Care
Patient Transfers
If you need to transfer to another clinic, whether to a different CMS clinic or another opioid treatment program altogether, your counselor will facilitate this process. Arranging a transfer can take several days, so please notify your counselor as soon as you can.
If you are currently enrolled at another Opioid Treatment Provider (OTP) and wish to transfer to CMS, contact the clinic and schedule an intake – it is important you tell them you are currently a client at another OTP and you want to transfer. CMS requires all transfers to provide a signed released of information to allow the exchange of medical records for coordination of care.
For Medical Providers
Find a Clinic Near You
Community Medical Services offers treatment in more than 70 clinics across over a dozen states. To get support or start your treatment journey, find a clinic near you or contact us today.
Get a Ride to a CMS Clinic
Need help getting to a CMS clinic near you? Community Medical Services can help you find cost-effective transportation services near you, ensuring you can receive the compassionate treatment you need to start your road to recovery.
