The ASAM Criteria is the most widely used and comprehensive set of guidelines for placement, continued stay, and transfer/discharge criteria for individuals with substance use disorder and co-occurring conditions.
The ASAM Criteria defines the treatment criteria and levels of care for the treatment of substance-related and co-occurring conditions. The ASAM Criteria structure is the underlying framework for our service codes (billing guides), fiscal assumptions (rates), etc. Licensed Behavioral Health Agency providers are required to use the ASAM Criteria.
Additionally, the Managed Care Organizations, Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations, and private insurance plans use the ASAM Criteria as a utilization management tool.
The Adult ASAM Criteria 4th Edition has been released. Per SB 5361 passed in the 2025 legislative session, our state will transition to the updated ASAM criteria for adults in January 2028. The state plans to adopt updated adolescent and transition age youth criteria simultaneously with the adult criteria.
Thanks to legislative support and State Opioid Response dollars, we partnered and contracted with Train for Change to offer an array of free virtual trainings in 2024 and 2025. It is uncertain whether HCA will be able to provide additional trainings for the adult criteria. They hope to offer similar trainings for the ATAY volume int he future, funding permitting.
Quick Highlights:
- The Adult ASAM Criteria 4th Edition is now available.
- The State will adopt the ASAM Criteria 4th Edition in January of 2028.
- The courses were be held virtually in July 2024 through June 2025.
- Trainings were be offered by Train for Change.
The PDF document below includes:
The FAQs have a detailed list of initial trainings, dates, and registration links. To register for any of the training courses click on the registration links.
