Medical Services
Since 1987, Horizon Health Service’s New York State Department of Health certified medical diagnostic and treatment unit has provided a spectrum of medical and psychiatric services for Horizon’s consumers, and for others in the community, at three locations. Supervised by a physician, the Unit is staffed by nurse practitioners and registered nurses who treat a variety of medical conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, colds, flu and much more.
The staff of Horizon’s Medical Unit works in tandem with the behavioral health counselors and staff, sharing critical information that contributes to a consumer’s overall health and welfare. Often, an addiction can mask a serious physical condition, or medications can cause physical ailments the consumer is unaware of. Working as a team, the Horizon staff keeps one another informed, and the better communication contributes to consumers’ all-around holistic health.
Horizon’s Medical Unit provides a spectrum of medical and psychiatric services, including:
- Primary medical care
- Physical examinations including associated assessments and studies
- Medication administration
- HIV counseling, testing and alternative treatments
- Consultation to Horizon’s mental health and chemical dependency staff
- Referral for medical specialty services
Horizon now offers buprenorphine medication as an adjunct to treatment for opiate addiction.
Opium is the most powerful addiction drug; opioid addiction is estimated to affect up to one million Americans, a number that continues to grow despite costly prevention and treatment programs.
Until 2002, methadone was the only medical maintenance treatment available for opiate addiction. It has proven to be effective for reducing cravings and preventing relapse; however its significant abuse potential and daily clinical visit requirements made it very difficult to maintain normal social and occupational life.
Buprenorphine, an opioid partial agonist, was approved by the FDA in 2000 and seems to offer a reasonable alternative to methadone. Its unique mechanism of action – binding tightly to opioid receptors while activating them only partially – makes Buprenorphine a very safe and effective drug for detoxification and/or maintenance therapy for opioid addiction.
It is the very first drug approved by the FDA to be prescribed in a regular office setting and given as a monthly prescription as long as drug counseling is also provided.
Horizon is excited to be able to provide this option to our consumers who are ready to take the path to recovery and return to normal life.
Horizon’s Medical Unit accepts Medicaid and other insurance plans.
Our Medical Unit locations include:
Hertel Elmwood Medical Unit
699 Hertel Avenue
Suite 330
Buffalo, NY 14207
Phone: 834.0282
Fax: 834.1612
Bailey LaSalle Medical Unit
3297 Bailey Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14215
Phone: 834.0282
Fax: 834.1612
City Market Medical Unit
1750 Pine Avenue
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Phone: 215.0700
Fax: 215.0702
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