ASAM Certification is becoming a new quality measure for substance abuse treatment reimbursement in the United States, and PowderHorn Consulting is prepared to assist. The American Society of Addiction Medicine Criteria is the nation’s most widely used and comprehensive set of standards for placement, continued stay, and transfer/discharge of patients with addiction and co-occurring conditions. In multiple states, ASAM certification will be required as a device to help ensure quality care for clients.

The majority of states have seen an increase in the number of individuals seeking addiction rehabilitation services. ASAM is a certification above and beyond CARF or TJC accreditation, and is one step above the quality of care assurance. Since substance abuse treatment is an evidence-based practice, professionals are trained to provide client-centered treatment, and this is what is evaluated. States, payors, and clients want to make sure substance abuse services are safe, effective, and legal.

For example, ASAM certification is required in Kentucky. Dwight Sperry, PowderHorn Consulting Senior Consultant, assisted Lifeline Recovery Center with an ASAM accreditation in June, 2022. It was PHC’s 396th successful accreditation consultation. For women’s and men’s inpatient housing with the same rules and procedures for all services, ASAM conducted two surveys, one for each because of the hands-on approach with a look at all aspects of care.

“CARF and TJC are reporting that they are conducting more surveys than any other time,” said Sperry. “A long time ago, anybody could start up a treatment center, but now the facility has to be accredited or certified, or both, for payment,” he adds.

Payors are requesting certification to ensure that facilities deliver a specific level of care, thereby differentiating between the many levels of care available for addiction treatment. “It helps that they are being treated by quality staff, and assessment and treatment and processes are at a high level,” adds Sperry. “It assures that staff are trained and qualified in the methods that they use.”