ASAM Criteria Updates for Adult Substance Use Services (IB 24-2 revised 2.19.26)
Date: 02/19/26
Louisiana Healthcare Connections is sharing revisions made to ASAM Criteria Updates for Adult Substance Use Services (IB 24-2) on February 19, 2026.
Changes included -
- The revisions included in this updated edition will be adopted in 2026...
- Addition of:
Transition to evidence-based practice standards in the ASAM Criteria – 4th Edition for Adults for various levels of care is scheduled for 2026, with providers required to be in full compliance with revised rules, regulations and Medicaid policy criteria by July 1, 2026. The updated Medicaid fee schedule reflective of associated rate increases went into effect January 1, 2026. Providers may review Medicaid Informational Bulletin 25-31 and the Specialized Behavioral Health Fee Schedule for more information.
- Removal of:
...dependent on implementation readiness and budget availability. Should LDH pursue implementation, it will require approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the needed State Plan Amendment (SPA), and promulgation of required rules, and revisions to the Behavioral Health Services Provider Manual. If implemented, these revisions will occur during calendar year 2024, and the revisions will require operational changes at the MCO and the provider levels. Providers will be kept informed about the status of approvals and revisions as they are finalized via updates to this Informational Bulletin. Pending budget allocation, CMS approval, and the publication of rules and the Medicaid Behavioral Health Services Provider Manual revisions, the anticipated effective date for providers to come into compliance is January 1, 2026.
Providers are encouraged to review the entire IB for additional edits.