Virginia Law

A. Clinically managed high intensity residential services (adult) and clinically managed medium intensity residential services (adolescent) (ASAM Level 3.5) settings for services. The facility based residential treatment service provider (ASAM Level 3.5) shall be licensed as (i) a substance abuse residential treatment service for adults or children, (ii) a psychiatric unit that has substance abuse listed on its license or within the "licensed as" statements, (iii) a substance abuse residential treatment service for women with children, (iv) a substance abuse and mental health residential treatment service for adults and children that has substance abuse listed on its license or within the "licensed as" statements, (v) a Level C (psychiatric residential treatment facility) provider, or (vi) a "mental health residential-children" provider that has substance abuse on its license or within the "licensed as" statements and shall be contracted by DMAS or its contractor or an MCO. Residential treatment providers (ASAM Level 3.5) shall meet the service components and staff requirements in this section.

B. Clinically managed high intensity residential services (adult) and clinically managed medium intensity residential services (adolescent) (ASAM Level 3.5) service components.

1. These residential treatment services, as required by ASAM, include:

a. Telephone or in-person consultation with a physician or physician extender who shall be available to perform required physician services. Emergency services shall be available 24 hours per day and seven days per week;

b. Arrangements for more and less intensive levels of care and other services such as sheltered workshops, literacy training, and adult education;

c. Arrangements for needed procedures, including medical, psychiatric, psychological, laboratory, and toxicology services appropriate to the severity of need; and

d. Arrangements for addiction pharmacotherapy, including medication assisted treatment that is provided on site or through referral.

2. The following therapies shall be provided as directed by the ISP for reimbursement:

a. Clinically directed treatment to facilitate recovery skills, relapse prevention, and emotional coping strategies. Services shall promote personal responsibility and reintegration of the individual into the network systems of work, education, and family life. Activities shall be designed to stabilize and maintain substance use disorder symptoms and apply recovery skills and may include relapse prevention, interpersonal choice exploration, and development of social networks in support of recovery.

b. Range of cognitive, behavioral psychotherapies, and substance use disorder counseling administered individually and in family and group settings to assist the individual in initial involvement or re-engagement in regular productive daily activities, including education on medication management, addiction pharmacotherapy, and education skill building groups to enhance the individual's understanding of substance use and mental illness.

c. Psychoeducational activities.

d. Addiction pharmacotherapy and drug screening.

e. Recreational therapy, art, music, physical therapy, and vocational rehabilitation.

f. Motivational enhancements and engagement strategies.

g. Monitoring of the adherence to prescribed medications and over-the-counter medications and supplements.

h. Daily scheduled professional services and interdisciplinary assessments and treatment designed to develop and apply recovery skills.

i. Services for family and significant others, as appropriate, to advance the individual's treatment goals and objectives identified in the ISP.

j. Withdrawal management services may be provided as necessary.

C. Clinically managed high intensity residential services (adult) and clinically managed medium intensity residential services (adolescent) (ASAM Level 3.5) staff requirements.

1. The interdisciplinary team shall include CATPs, physicians, or physician extenders and allied health professionals. Physicians and physician extenders who have a current DEA registration authorizing the prescribing of scheduled drugs, including Schedule III drugs, and who are either employed by or contracted with the agency or through referral arrangements with the agency. ASAM Level 3.5 may utilize CSACs or CSAC-supervisees to provide substance use disorder counseling and psychoeducational services within their scopes of practice as defined in § 54.1-3507.1 of the Code of Virginia.

2. Staff shall provide awake 24-hour onsite supervision. The provider's staffing plan must be in compliance with DBHDS licensing regulations for staffing plans set forth in 12VAC35-46-870 and 12VAC35-105-590.

3. Clinical staff who are experienced in and knowledgeable about the biopsychosocial dimensions and treatment of substance use disorders. Clinical staff shall be able to identify acute psychiatric conditions and decompensations.

4. Substance use case management shall be provided in this level of care.

5. Appropriately credentialed medical staff shall be available on site or by telephone 24 hours per day, seven days per week to assess and treat co-occurring biological and physiological disorders and to monitor the individual's administration of medications in accordance with a physician's prescription.

D. Clinically managed high intensity residential services (adult) and clinically managed medium intensity residential services (adolescent) (ASAM Level 3.5) co-occurring enhanced programs as required by ASAM.

1. Psychiatric services, medication evaluation, and laboratory services shall be provided. Such services shall be available by telephone within eight hours of requested service and on site or via telemedicine, or closely coordinated with an offsite provider within 24 hours of requested service, as appropriate to the severity and urgency of the individual's mental and physical condition.

2. Staff shall be CATPs who are able to assess and treat co-occurring substance use and psychiatric disorders.

3. Planned clinical activities shall be required and shall be designed to stabilize and maintain the individual's mental health problems and psychiatric symptoms.

4. Medication education and management shall be provided.