The New Jersey Society of Addiction Medicine made comments on legislation that would require that residential aftercare facilities treating individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental health disorders have a licensed mental health care professional on-site or on-call, at all times, among other things.

ASAM joined 41 other organizations in asking CMS to extend telehealth flexibilities granted due to the COVID-19 health emergency.

House Democrats introduced the Heroes Act, the fourth legislative package designed to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) sent a letter commending the introduction of H.R. 6644, the Health Care at Home Act, which would require group health plans and health insurers to cover telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

CMS issued an interim final rule to allow periodic assessment furnished by OTPs to be furnished during the public health emergency (PHE) for the COVID-19 pandemic via two-way interactive audio-video communication technology, and in some cases, via audio-only phone calls. Additionally, CMS expanded the list of services that it will pay for when delivered via audio-only methods.

ASAM commends lawmakers for sending a bipartisan letter to House and Senate leadership calling for at least $38.5 billion in COVID-19 emergency aid for behavioral health organizations.

The Partnership to Amend 42 CFR Part 2 sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar urging him to quickly issue a rule on the 42 CFR Part 2 provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Safety Act.

ASAM has released a new public policy statement on third party payment for addiction treatment.