Bill > SB5361

This bill delays the implementation of the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) Criteria 4th edition for treatment of substance-related and co-occurring conditions. Specifically, the bill extends the deadline for medicaid managed care organizations and insurance carriers to begin using the updated ASAM Criteria from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2028. The bill maintains the existing requirement that the Health Care Authority and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner will jointly determine whether to adopt the updated criteria and set the specific implementation date. If these agencies mutually decide that the new criteria should not be used, they can choose not to implement it. The ASAM Criteria are a set of guidelines used to assess and treat patients with addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions, and this bill provides additional time for healthcare organizations to prepare for the transition to the 4th edition of these criteria.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5361&Year=2025&Initiative=false