If you started Suboxone (buprenorphine) through an online-only telehealth company and you’re worried about what happens if it closes, changes its rules, or can no longer prescribe, you are not stuck. Switching your care to a Kentucky-based provider is usually straightforward, and it can be done without interrupting your medication. At Fresh Start Health, we move new patients from other providers onto a stable treatment plan every week, and most people are surprised by how simple it is.
This guide walks through exactly how a transfer works, what to bring, and why moving to a provider with real clinics in Eastern Kentucky protects your treatment long term.
Why people switch Suboxone providers
There are a few common reasons Kentuckians move their addiction care to a local provider:
- Their telehealth-only company is closing or shrinking. Several national online Suboxone services have shut down or scaled back, leaving patients scrambling for a refill.
- New federal rules require an in-person visit. Patients who started buprenorphine by telehealth generally need an in-person evaluation to continue treatment beyond six months — something an online-only company structurally cannot provide.
- They want a provider who takes their insurance. Fresh Start accepts Kentucky Medicaid and many commercial insurance plans.
- They want the option of in-person care. Having a real clinic nearby means you’re never one app outage away from losing your prescription.
How switching actually works
Transferring your Suboxone care to Fresh Start is a short process, and you do not need permission from your old provider to leave. Here is the typical path:
- 1. Reach out. Call us or use the chat function on our website to tell us you’re an existing Suboxone patient looking to transfer. We’ll schedule you quickly so there’s no gap in your medication.
- 2. Your first visit. This can often begin by telehealth, then continue with in-person visits at one of our four Eastern Kentucky clinics — Ashland, Grayson, Morehead, or Vanceburg. Because we’re a hybrid provider, we can meet the in-person evaluation requirements that keep your treatment compliant and uninterrupted.
- 3. We confirm your history. Bring what you have — your current dose, the name of your medication (Suboxone, Sublocade, or Brixadi), and any recent prescription information. We can also check the Kentucky prescription monitoring records. You do not need a formal “release” to start.
- 4. We continue your medication. Once we’ve confirmed your treatment, we pick up where your last provider left off, usually at the same dose, so you stay stable.
What to bring to your first appointment
- A photo ID and your insurance card (Medicaid or commercial), if you have one.
- The name and dose of your current medication.
- The name of your previous provider or pharmacy, if you remember it.
- A list of any other medications you take.
Don’t have all of this? That’s okay — call us anyway. We can work with partial information and help fill in the gaps.
Why a Kentucky-based hybrid provider is safer
Online-only companies can be convenient, but they have a built-in weakness: when the rules change or the business closes, there’s no local clinic to fall back on. A Kentucky-based provider like Fresh Start gives you both — the convenience of telehealth for routine visits and physical clinics in Ashland, Grayson, Morehead, and Vanceburg when an in-person visit is needed. As a stable brick and mortar entity that accepts Medicaid and many insurance plans, we’re built to keep your care going for the long haul, not just until the next policy deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my old provider’s permission to switch Suboxone providers?
No. You do not need permission or a formal release from your current provider to transfer your care. You can contact Fresh Start Health directly, and we’ll schedule you quickly so there’s no gap in your medication. Bringing your current dose and medication name helps us continue your treatment smoothly.
Will my Suboxone dose stay the same when I switch?
In most cases, yes. Once we confirm your treatment history, we typically continue your medication at the same dose so you stay stable. If any adjustment is ever needed, we discuss it with you first.
Can I switch to Fresh Start if I started Suboxone with an online-only company?
Yes. We regularly take transfers from telehealth-only companies. Because Fresh Start is a hybrid provider with four Eastern Kentucky clinics in Ashland, Grayson, Morehead, and Vanceburg plus telehealth, we can meet the in-person evaluation requirements that online-only companies cannot, keeping your treatment compliant and uninterrupted.
Does Fresh Start take Medicaid for Suboxone treatment?
Yes. Fresh Start Health accepts Kentucky Medicaid and many commercial insurance plans. If you’re unsure about your coverage, call us at (606) 225-8200 and we’ll help you check before your first visit.
Ready to switch to a stable, Kentucky-based provider? Don’t wait until your current provider closes or a deadline hits. To transfer your Suboxone care to Fresh Start Health, call us or use our chat function — or reach us at (606) 225-8200. We serve patients across Kentucky by telehealth and in person at our Ashland, Grayson, Morehead, and Vanceburg clinics.