Educations

ASAM and NJSAM Comment on the Passage of Legislation Mandating Six Months of Addiction Treatment in New Jersey

On Wednesday, February 15, Gov. Christie signed into law a sweeping piece of legislation that mandates insurance coverage for up to six months of inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment, as well as imposes a five-day limit on initial opioid prescriptions for acute pain and requires continuing medical education for prescribers on opioid misuse.

Educations

ASAM Thanks Anthem and New York Attorney General Schneiderman

he American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) commends Anthem and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for securing a national agreement to no longer require prior authorization for medications to treat addiction involving opioid use.

Educations

Substance Use, Misuse, and Use Disorders During and Following Pregnancy, with an Emphasis on Opioids

Educations

ASAM Announces Partnerships to Offer Free Training for NPs and PAs to Treat Opioid Addiction

New partnership with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) offers new training courses that will allow physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) to prescribe buprenorphine, a medication to treat addiction involving opioid use.

Educations

The 21st Century Cures Act - Highlights for ASAM Members

On December 13, President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act, a sweeping biomedical innovation bill that includes several legislative changes that will impact the field of addiction medicine. Read on for the highlights for ASAM members.

Educations

MACRA Final Rule Released

In mid-October, CMS released the final rule about implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). This new Medicare payment program will replace the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) that was repealed in 2015. MACRA emphasizes improving quality of care for patients and moving away from a fee-for-service payment system.

Educations

ASAM Applauds Senate Passage of the ECHO Act

On November 29, the U.S. Senate voted to pass the Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act. The ECHO Act, introduced by Sens. Hatch (R-UT) and Schatz (D-HI), aims to better integrate the Project ECHO model of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity-building into health systems across the country.

Educations

House passes sweeping health innovation bill with $1 billion for opioids

“This legislation can help create real change for the millions of Americans impacted by the opioid crisis,” the Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose said in a statement on the eve of House passage."

Educations

ASAM applauds announcement of new addiction medicine board examination in fall of 2017

Starting in the fall of 2017, ABPM will offer physicians who are certified by a Member Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) the opportunity to become certified in the subspecialty of addiction medicine.

Educations

The Results Are In: ASAM’s Take on the 2016 Election

Educations

ASAM Applauds HHS Action to Allow NPs and PAs to Treat Patients with Addiction

ASAM looks forward to continuing to work with SAMHSA and our partner organizations representing NPs and PAs to facilitate training opportunities and support these clinicians as they work to fill the addiction treatment gap with evidence-based care.

Educations

ASAM Applauds Release of Historic Surgeon General Report on Substance Use and Addiction

American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) applauds this historic examination of the health effects of drug and alcohol misuse and commends Dr. Murthy for taking action to raise awareness about this critical public health issue.

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ASAM Comments on ONDCP "Changing the Language of Addiction" Document

ASAM submits comments on ONDCP document "Changing the Language of Addiction," providing our expertise on the definitions and use of terms such as addiction and recovery.

Educations

Joint Statement on Federal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force Report

Addiction and mental health advocacy groups issue joint statement regarding the White House Parity Task Force report. Click <a href="http://www.asam.org/advocacy/issues/parity/white-house-parity-task-force-report">here</a> for a summary of the report.

Educations

ASAM Thanks Cigna and New York Attorney General Schneiderman for Eliminating Prior Authorization Requirements for Medications Used for Addiction Treatment

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) commends Cigna and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for negotiating a national agreement to no longer require prior authorization for medications to treat addiction involving opioid use. This unprecedented policy change by a national commercial insurer will ensure patients can access treatment when needed and will surely save lives

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New TRICARE Regulations to Improve Access to Addiction Treatment

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American Society of Addiction Medicine Receives Top ASAE Honors for CONTINUUM - The ASAM Criteria Decision Engine™

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Ask The PCSS Expert: What Are Some Tips for Buprenorphine Treatment Inductions?

A physician wrote the PCSS mentor network seeking advice about group inductions for buprenorphine/naloxone. The physician’s practice is starting a program with buprenorphine/ naloxone in primary care and says, “Due to space and time limitations we were considering doing group inductions with up to 5 patients, who then also would be enrolled in a ‘pain in recovery group’ of 8 weeks’ duration.”

Educations

ASAM Applauds Appointment of Dr. Everett to Serve as SAMHSA’S New Chief Medical Officer

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) applauds today’s announcement that Anita Everett, MD, has been appointed to serve as SAMHSA’s new Chief Medical Officer and will lead the newly created Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO).

Educations

Commentary on – Seizing the Moment to Improve Addiction Treatment

What about 1-Year Abstinence? I think the proposed standard of five years of continuous abstinence is simultaneously too long (we do not currently know how many people are abstinent for one week during treatment) – and also too short (we do not yet know at what point relapse risk approximates population rates). But like Bob DuPont, I too want to help improve the quality of care, and with it the level of understanding and confidence in addiction treatment by the public and by mainstream healthcare.