The bill amends existing laws regarding the implementation timeline for the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) 4th edition criteria, which are treatment guidelines for addictive, substance-related, and co-occurring conditions. Specifically, it extends the deadline for Medicaid managed care organizations and carriers to begin using the updated criteria from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2028. This change applies to both RCW 71.24.619 and RCW 48.43.764, ensuring that the health care authority and the office of the insurance commissioner will jointly determine the use of updated versions of the ASAM criteria and communicate their decision publicly.

The bill emphasizes the collaborative role of the health care authority and the office of the insurance commissioner in deciding the adoption of updated treatment criteria, which includes versions tailored for adolescents and transition-age youth. By delaying the implementation date, the bill aims to provide additional time for relevant entities to prepare for the transition to the new criteria, ensuring that they can adequately meet the needs of individuals with substance-related conditions.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 71.24.619, 48.43.764
Bill as Passed Legislature: 71.24.619, 48.43.764
Session Law: 71.24.619, 48.43.764