Ideal Option Awarded Funding to Open 2 New Addiction Medicine Clinics in Idaho Panhandle


Ideal Option, a national leader in outpatient evidence-based treatment for addiction to fentanyl, methamphetamine, alcohol and other substances, is now welcoming new patients in Kellogg and Sandpoint. Both new clinics are co-located with the Panhandle Health District (PHD), which provides over 40 different public health programs to families, individuals and organizations in northern Idaho.

In 2021, Ideal Option received the IROC (Idaho’s Response to the Opioid Crisis) award from the State of Idaho to open two hybrid satellite clinics in the Idaho Panhandle to assist in the state’s goal to expand access to MAT. Through collaboration with the Panhandle Health District, Kellogg and Sandpoint were identified as the communities that would benefit most from treatment services to address SUD.

“We are grateful to have been chosen to receive the IROC award funded by the State Opioid Response Grant to expand our coverage in Northern Idaho and get the residents of Shoshone and Bonner Counties the help they need,” stated Katie Olson, Program Evaluator and Epidemiologist at Ideal Option. “Co-locating with the Panhandle Health District is a huge opportunity for us to make addiction treatment more visible and accessible.”

According to the Idaho Office of Drug Policy, 1,900 Idahoans died of overdose-related deaths in the first year of the pandemic, compared to 264 deaths in 2019. In 2020, the North Idaho region was the second highest opioid prescribing region in the state, according to the Board of Pharmacy. There were enough opioids prescribed that 88% of residents in the region could have had their own individual prescription.

“Getting people the help they need in treatment and recovery is a top priority in our response to the increase of substance use in our community,” said Kelsey Orlando, Program Manager at PHD. “Partnering with Ideal Option to have treatment services available in two of the counties we serve is exciting to meet the needs of our region.”

The new Ideal Option clinic in Kellogg is open Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., and is located at 35 Wildcat Way, Kellogg, ID 83837. The new Ideal Option clinic in Sandpoint is open Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., and is located at 101 W Pine St., Sandpoint, ID 83863. Both locations are found inside their respective Panhandle Health District buildings.

Most forms of insurance are accepted, including Medicaid and Medicare. Patients can make an appointment by calling 1.877.522.1275 or visiting http://www.idealoption.com.

About Panhandle Health District

Panhandle Health District provides over 40 different public health programs to families, individuals and organizations in northern Idaho. From food and drinking water safety to health education and disease control, public health services are critical to ensure our community is a safe and healthy place to live, work and play. The PHD team is made up of nurses, nutritionists, environmental health specialists, health educators and many other dedicated professionals with a common goal to deliver vital public health services. Panhandle Health District is one of seven health districts in the state of Idaho.

About Ideal Option

Headquartered in Kennewick, Washington, Ideal Option was founded in 2012 and has since helped nearly 50,000 patients through a network of over 70 office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across 10 states. With a mission to serve under-served communities, Ideal Option accepts all forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Financial assistance and payment plans are also available.

Ideal Option’s team of medical providers carry certifications in Addiction and Emergency Medicine, Internal, OB/GYN, and Family Medicine, among other specialties. The company also employs social workers, caseworkers, counselors, and mental health practitioners. This holistic approach helps drive positive outcomes, including family stability, stable housing, improved overall health, and reduced rates of recidivism.

In all the communities it serves, Ideal Option collaborates with existing stakeholders and providers to improve the continuum of care. This approach includes partnerships with emergency rooms and county jail systems, where individuals with substance use disorder often appear, as well as collaborating with numerous support agencies and municipal programs addressing social needs such as housing, mental health, and nutrition support.

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