California intervention program

Premier just started with the intervention program in January. I been in the program for about three years and it's hard to say their plan since they just started. Last year Maximus previous vendor had made a lot changes that affected a lot participants. At this point I barely spoke with CM yesterday and I have called her several times. So far it's seems like they will have similar restrictions like Maximus. Depending on your situation you will need to do outpatient therapy or rehab they will tell you once you're interview by their therapist. Once that is established you will need to attend nurse support group, random drug screen weekly and daily either AA or Na meetings. . You will probably be out work for a year or more so be prepared for that. Every three months you're able to meet with the BRN where you can ask for less restrictions. Also when you first meet with the BRN through zoom you will have to ask to be in the program. 

I already got approved to be in the program. The case manager contacted the BRN and they approved me. I'm supposed to go on vacation next month though so I'm contemplating waiting to start the program until after the trip ( it's a cruise so I won't be able to test during the time I'm gone). Do they give you a contract the day you do your intake? What are you doing the program for if you don't mind me asking. 

So you haven't done the intake or any drug testing? Usually they do the intake and they make you sign with another vendor that does our drug screens . Your first negative urine is your day 1 of the program.  They will do hair and blood test not the same week but usually in the first month. In terms of vacation usually you have to have a testing center. I never left the US while in the program but I know people who did usually stop testing for the time they were out the US. When they got back they would get drug screen right away with urine, blood and hair to make sure you were compliant.  In terms of your vacation I would definitely ask as soon as you can. If you self reported they might let you start later but if you were report I think you have to start right away as the letter they send you states you have two weeks to decide. When I first started the program I had to find IOP right away and that was a couple times a week and daily AA meetings so I could t leave city for a couple of weeks. I'm in the program due alcohol abuse.  

I haven't had my intake yet. It's scheduled for later this week but I was notified by the case manager assigned to me that I was eligible. The letter I received in my email didn't have any dates I had to decide by. I was contemplating pushing my intake appt to after I come back from vacation so I don't risk being "non compliant". Where I'm going there likely won't be any testing sites. I did let my case manager know I have that vacation planned and she said she let the board know and they said they "will not approve or deny travel but they will figure out a way to test me when I get back". 

How long after starting the program were you able to work? Did you have restrictions? Was this with all clean tests or was there any slip up's that maybe delayed you going back to work? Does the testing get less frequent as time passes? Are all the meetings in person or are can any be virtual? Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to decide if it's for me or not before my intake. 

So when I started I was able to start working right after 6months that was 2022. I started at dialysis center. But they have become more strict now they pretty much make everyone wait a year before going back to work  but no patient care. Then eventually patient care and then after that narcotic acces. Last year Maximus had made change that everyone had to do narcotic pass before exiting the program. Now it's only depending on each individual situation since it's a new vendor. In terms of meetings they use to let you do all online meetings but now participants have to attend in person everyday and once you start working it will be less in person. Plus you will have to attend weekly nurse support meeting and more than likely they will make you do therapy. I still get drug screen three - five times a month so it did not decrease. If you were report it really depends on what you did, if you decide to not do the program the attorney general can still take you to court. If it's just DUI then you really do have the option of not doing the program. The first year was the hardest  because you can't work and bills pulled up but once you get into a routine it's a lot better. 

Do you get your contract the day you do your intake appt? Like will I know how long I have to be in the program for, and what meetings, etc are expected of me the day I sign it? What do they talk about during the intake appt? Thank you for answering. It's a huge help!

When you do your intake they will just ask about your history with any substance and how did you end up getting report. Be honest if you have done any other drug that can show up in hair test or blood. I've heard of people who didn't say they did other drugs but showed up in the drug screen. The day of your intake you will technically be in the program but your day one won't be till you have the first negative test. Also it's three -five year program so if you do everything they ask and all negative drug screen you will be out in three years. You don't get a contract till you meet with the Board through zoom that's every three months. When you start nurse support group they will tell you about your IEC meetings. You Case manager will tell you when you meet with them through zoom. In the IEC meeting they will also ask about your substance history and how did you get reported it. The BRN that's does the IEC is very nice sometimes I have heard they ask a lot questions but I haven't experienced that. So for me I don't meet with them till April  and I'll be asking to be out the program. 

Mnltr2021 said:

When you do your intake they will just ask about your history with any substance and how did you end up getting report. Be honest if you have done any other drug that can show up in hair test or blood. I've heard of people who didn't say they did other drugs but showed up in the drug screen. The day of your intake you will technically be in the program but your day one won't be till you have the first negative test. Also it's three -five year program so if you do everything they ask and all negative drug screen you will be out in three years. You don't get a contract till you meet with the Board through zoom that's every three months. When you start nurse support group they will tell you about your IEC meetings. You Case manager will tell you when you meet with them through zoom. In the IEC meeting they will also ask about your substance history and how did you get reported it. The BRN that's does the IEC is very nice sometimes I have heard they ask a lot questions but I haven't experienced that. So for me I don't meet with them till April  and I'll be asking to be out the program. 

Thank you for all the information! Who does the testing for premier? Do you have a link where I can see all the locations? 

The company that premier is contracted with is FSSolution and they have their own website. You will probably get an email from premier how set up your account with them. Once it's set up you check in every day at 5am, once you have account with fssolution you can call them to ask where is the nearest testing center. There  is spot in their website once you have an account that you can check other testing site with your zip code. 

Mnltr2021 said:

The company that premier is contracted with is FSSolution and they have their own website. You will probably get an email from premier how set up your account with them. Once it's set up you check in every day at 5am, once you have account with fssolution you can call them to ask where is the nearest testing center. There  is spot in their website once you have an account that you can check other testing site with your zip code. 

How often would you say you're sent to test? Like from the very beginning up until now? Do you typically test on holidays/weekends? I just imagine it would be hard to find a location for those days.. mostly holidays. What kind of tests are you typically doing? How soon after you enrolled were you sent to test? 

I had my intake at the end of the week and I had to set up my account with fssolution right away. I had first test the second week which was urine, then blood and hair after that. So at beginning you go once a week and it can be any day including weekends and holidays. I still test 3-5 five times a month and randomly through out the year I'll get a blood test and hair test which both are more expensive than urine test. I live in big city  where we do have a lot testing sites. Their is a few places that will let you test after hours you just have to give them plenty of time so once you find out your testing on the weekend you will have to notify them that you test that day. I believe other cites also have places where you can test after hours. The testing is not hard at the beginning since you won't be working but it can really expensive I think I paid 600 dollars the first month. With urine test just make sure you don't drink a lot water to cause dilution and have plenty of protein. I believe premier should have a list medication to avoid taking while in program.

Mnltr2021 said:

I had my intake at the end of the week and I had to set up my account with fssolution right away. I had first test the second week which was urine, then blood and hair after that. So at beginning you go once a week and it can be any day including weekends and holidays. I still test 3-5 five times a month and randomly through out the year I'll get a blood test and hair test which both are more expensive than urine test. I live in big city  where we do have a lot testing sites. Their is a few places that will let you test after hours you just have to give them plenty of time so once you find out your testing on the weekend you will have to notify them that you test that day. I believe other cites also have places where you can test after hours. The testing is not hard at the beginning since you won't be working but it can really expensive I think I paid 600 dollars the first month. With urine test just make sure you don't drink a lot water to cause dilution and have plenty of protein. I believe premier should have a list medication to avoid taking while in program.

Are you working again? If so how long was it before you were able to? Any restrictions? And how was it trying to find a job? Does your worksite manager know why you're in the program?