The ASAM Criteria®
Level of Care Certification Program™
Addressing the addiction health crisis by establishing processes for validation of addiction treatment program capabilities, building industry transparency, and increasing patient confidence in treatment services. Currently covers adult residential programs at levels 3.1, 3.5, and 3.7 of The ASAM Criteria®.
Download Updated Rating Element Changes Read Announcement
The ASAM Level of Care Certification Program™ provides an independent assessment of a treatment program’s ability to deliver services consistent with The ASAM Criteria®. Delivered in partnership with CARF International (CARF), is the first program of its kind to independently assess and verify treatment programs’ capacity to deliver services consistent with the level of care standards described in The ASAM Criteria.
Increasing patient access to evidence-based addiction treatment is critical to overcoming the devastating and deadly challenges of addiction. The ASAM Level of Care Certification gives patients, loved ones, payors, and regulators the knowledge that a given treatment program is capable of administering evidence-based addiction treatment that is appropriately matched to a patient’s individual needs.
Certification currently covers adult residential programs at levels 3.1, 3.5, and 3.7 of The ASAM Criteria. The ASAM Level of Care Certification will expand levels of care in the near future.
Read the 2020 announcement here.
2023 Rating Element Updates
To develop updated rating elements, ASAM and CARF completed a review of over two years of data from the ASAM Level of Care Certification. Based upon an analysis of the data, several elements were updated to reflect advances in practice and foster more comprehensive and effective adoption of existing ASAM Criteria rating elements across 3.1, 3.5, and 3.7 levels of care.
The changes are made in alignment with the guiding principles of The ASAM Criteria and support the expansion of patient-centered care, the individuation of treatment planning, and access to medications for addiction treatment.
As programs begin to prepare for initial LOCC certification or recertification, they are asked to review the updated rating elements here.
2023 Rating Element Updates are effective January 15, 2023
Certification Preparation Resources
The ASAM Level of Care Certification Manual describes the level of care standards derived from The ASAM Criteria, the rating elements that will be assessed during the certification survey, and the policies, procedures, and systems a program should have in place to meet the standards. View>>
The ASAM Level of Care Certification Preparation Workbook outlines the rating elements that will be assessed by certification surveyors and provides a template for programs to conduct self-assessments to identify strengths and areas for improvement. View>>
The ASAM Level of Care Certification Training Modules are designed to guide attendees through the standards and rating elements, and describe the path to achieving certification in their organizations, with guidance on avoiding common pitfalls. View
The ASAM Criteria textbook is the authoritative source of standards for multidimensional assessment, patient placement, and level of care service characteristics in addiction treatment. Purchase the textbook
Apply here
What Certification Means for Patients, Providers, and Payors:
The ASAM Level of Care Certification program benefits patients, clinicians, treatment programs, and payors:
Find a Certified Treatment Program
Access the level of care you or your loved one deserves. Find a certified residential program that meets your needs and is certified to deliver the appropriate Level of Care.
Visit CARF's provider locator and search "ASAM" to find all certified programs. To find treatment programs capable of delivering a specific level of care, use the advanced search feature to select the appropriate level of care from the "Program" drop down menu.
If your program is not currently certified at a certain level of care, this does not necessarily mean they are not equipped to deliver it, but that they have not gone through the certification process. However, ASAM Level of Care Certification is the only way to be certain that a program has this ability. As more programs become certified, they will be added to this provider locator tool.
ASAM Level of Care Certification Consulting Services
ASAM has partnered with:
Train for Change Inc. is a trusted training and consulting organization, to provide consulting services for the ASAM Level of Care Certification delivered in partnership with CARF International. Services provided by Train for Change Inc. are tailored to the organization with the goal of guiding and supporting successful conformance with the rating elements and standards necessary to achieve the relative level(s) of care certification(s).
Health Management Associates, Inc., (HMA) is a full-service healthcare consulting firm with a dedicated team of substance use disorder, quality and accreditation, and behavioral health experts to successfully guide clients through the level of care certification process.
Simplifyance is a mission-driven team of behavioral healthcare compliance professionals who provide consulting services for the ASAM Level of Care Certification process, building authentic partnerships with organizations seeking to comply with the necessary standards in achieving an ASAM Level of Care Certification.
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