How many patients can a physician with an "X" DEA number treat with buprenorphine after the first year of registration?

A physician with an "X" DEA number, also known as a DATA 2000 waiver, is allowed to treat patients with buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. After the initial year of registration, the maximum number of patients a physician can treat increases significantly.

During the first year, a physician is permitted to treat up to 30 patients. However, once the first year is completed and the physician has demonstrated their ability to provide treatment effectively, they can apply to increase this limit. After approval, the physician with an "X" DEA number may treat up to 100 patients at a time thereafter.

This regulation aims to balance accessibility to treatment for opioid use disorder while ensuring that physicians are adequately equipped to safely manage a larger patient load. Thus, the provision allows for an expansion of care capacity reflecting the critical need to address the opioid crisis effectively.

The allowance for 100 patients underscores the importance of providing more robust treatment options and availability in communities struggling with opioid addiction.