American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) released the 4th edition of their criteria in late 2023. This edition, focused on adults, includes substantial changes aimed at improving the guidelines for placement, continued stay, and transfer/discharge of individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring conditions.
Creation of guidelines for considerations for adolescents and transition age youth writing period is underway, with anticipated release in 2026.
The State of Washington will adopt the new ASAM criteria for adults and for adolescents and transition age youth in January 2028.
As a part of this transition, Health Care Authority (HCA) sponsored training for the updated 4th edition of the ASAM criteria in 2024 and early 2025. The HCA also plans to offer a series of trainings for the ATAY volume, contingent upon funding.
More information about the transition plan and training sessions will be communicated in the coming months through GovDelivery.
It’s important to highlight that the ASAM criteria is a Washington Administrative Code (WAC) requirement. In collaboration with Department of Health (DOH), HCA is committed to ensuring a smooth and effective transition process for all partners involved.
For agencies that have already begun preparing to implement the 4th edition ASAM criteria
Agencies can continue to prepare, updating policies and procedures, clinical and program management tools, etc., adhering to new standards and framework, however are asked to not begin using the criteria in practice as
rates, coding and billing will not go into effect until January 2028.
Programs are encouraged to engage in ongoing quality improvements, which may align with ASAM 4 principles. However, Washington state’s formal adoption will not take place until Jan. 2028.
Please see the HCA ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Adoption Readiness FAQ: https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/free-or-low-cost/asam-adoption-readiness-faq-final.pdf
