Moving from programdriven to clinically driven and outcomesdriven treatment rather than focusing on placement in a program, with a fixed length of stay, the asam criteria. The information provided here will help you best implement asam s criteria. Treatment criteria for addictive, substancerelated, and cooccurring conditions adult levels of care dimension 1. Must meet the asam criteria definition levelofcare of medical necessity for services based on the asam criteria. The asam criteria asam has developed a standardized set of criteria that can be used for assessing any individual for appropriateness in addictions therapy placement. Dimension 4 but not in any other dimension, motivational enhancement strategies should be provided in level 1. Using the asam dimension to inform treatment o immediate needs due to imminent risk o choosing specific focus and determining what intensity of these services is needed for each dimension the asam criteria. This confidential information is provided to you in accord with state and federal laws. Asam dimensions and three criteria for continuing services. Ddap asam criteria guidance regarding treatment planning. Amended or additional treatment plans should be included. Emotional, behavioral, cognitive conditions or complications dimension 4.
Treatment criteria for addictive, substancerelated, and co occurring conditions, p. The description of services provided at high intensity residential asam level 3. Asam dimension 3 emotionalbehavioral conditions lcdc. Take a quick look at how asams criteria works asam continuum. Treatment criteria for addictive, substancerelated, and cooccuring conditions the asam criteria 3. Understanding and using asam criteria in substance use. Asam criteria dimensions as regards pertinent assessment data organized under the three hs history, here and now, how worried now. The american society of addiction medicine asam criteria is an evidencebased template to determine the appropriate level of substance use disorder intervention for an individual. The asam criteria structures multidimensional assessment around the six dimensions to provide a common language of holistic, biopsychosocial assessment and treatment across addiction treatment, physical health, and mental health services, which also addresses the spiritual issues relevant in recovery. Asam s six assessment dimensions address this guiding principle.
Asam criteria a training an introduction to the application of asam criteria. Asam s criteria, formerly known as the asam patient placement criteria, is the result of a collaboration that began in the 1980s to define one national set of criteria for providing outcomeoriented and resultsbased care in the treatment of addiction. Low risk ratings do not justify approval for extended care at this level of care. Guiding principles of asam criteria moving from limited number of levels of care to broad and flexible continuum of care identifying specific needs of adolescents clarifying goals of treatment fees, t.
Nonstandard, intuitive, then find out the rest later managed care wants more data. The following are the six dimensions of asam mt dphhs. Based on the six dimensions of the asam criteria, asam continuum conducts a dimensional analysis to identify the intensity of treatment. The criteria were developed by the american society of addiction medicine asam. The asam criteria, with a brief description of each one. Has the patient been using multiple substances in the same drug class.
Use tool to assist in transfer and discharge planning to assess the patients progress with treatment goals across each of the six asam dimensions and four criteria for discharge or transfer. This document is to be utilized in applying the american society of addiction medicine asam criteria, 20 within pennsylvanias treatment system when conducting a level of care assessment for initial referral into services or for continued stay and discharge considerations after treatment engagement. Today the criteria have become the most widely used set of guidelines for placement, continued stay and transferdischarge of patients with addiction and co. The asam criteria is a collection of objective guidelines that give clinicians a way to standardize treatment planning and where patients are placed in treatment, as well as how to provide continuing, integrated care and ongoing service planning. The following are the six dimensions of asam, and how they. Emotionalbehavioral conditions problem need patient reports evidences of possible depressive symptoms patient reports unresolved lossgrief issues due to deaths in immediate family patient has a history of poor anger management patient has a history of illicit behavior which has led to legal problems. Dimensions problemspriorities severity of illnesslof plan intensity of services. An introduction to the asam criteria for patients and families. The asam criteria treatment criteria for addictive, substancerelated, and cooccurring conditions david meelee, md chief editor of the asam criteria boardcertified psychiatrist abam certified sr.
As indicated in the asam criteria, 20, page 110, progress in all the dimensions should be assessed at regular intervals to ensure comprehensive and appropriate treatment. Asam criteria background in the late 1980s a taskforce is assembled to integrate existing admission and continued stay criteria both naatp and asam were involved ownership of the criteria was left with. Implications for adult problem solving courts david meelee, m. Treatment professionals are responsible for the care of their patients and must make independent judgments about whether and how to use. An introduction to the asam criteria for patients and families aetna. The asam criteria the asam criteria is the nations most widely used and comprehensive set of guidelines for placement, continued stay, and transferdischarge of patients with addiction and cooccurring conditions. Asams criteria guides clinicians to assess all dimensions of addiction and recovery and then use a wellde. Understanding continued service and discharge criteria the asam criteria 20, pp 299306 after the admission criteria for a given level of care have been met, the criteria for continued service. If the patients only severity is in dimension 4, 5, and or 6 without high severity in dimensions 1,2 andor 3, then the. Understand the clinical and costeffective benefits of utilizing the asam criteria 2 know the six dimensions utilized to assess medical necessity and patient need profiles 3 identify and recognize distinguishing characteristics of the recognized asam levels of. Society of addiction medicine, asam ppc2r, asam patient placement criteria for the. The asam criteria an overview of asam s criteria and continuum the asam criteria decision engine ohio department of mental health and addiction services. The criteria were developed by the american society of addiction medicine asam, and presented in a book written by a group of renowned doctors and.
Clients who are not experiencing or at risk of acute withdrawal e. Guiding principles of the asam criteria, third edition, 20 with additions for treatment courts individualized treatment for the typical drug court participant with high criminogenic needs and related risk factors, treatment designed to enhance intrinsic motivation, improve insight, and develop new skills is also likely to be needed. Think of each dimension like the side of a cube, showing something different. The following are the six dimensions of asam, and how they are defined by the american society of addiction medicine, asam ppc2r, asam patient placement criteria for the treatment of substance related disorders, 2nd edition revised, david mee lee, m. Acute intoxication or withdrawal potential complications dimension 2. The history of a clients past signs, symptoms and treatment is important, but never overrides the here and. The asam criteria is the most widely used and comprehensive set of guidelines for placement, continued stay, transfer, or discharge of patients with addiction. The six assessment dimensions of the asam criteria. Use asam risk rating criteria language to justify loc extension request in the asam dimensions presented in the comment box. The asam criteria and addiction treatment matching naadac.
While the asam criteria, 20 addresses cooccurring disorders within every loc throughout the continuum of care asam, p. This may or may not be done as a formal update as indicated by regulation, depending upon the. It does not dictate a particular standard of care or speciic treatment decisions. Asam level of care loc determination guidelines 1 of 2. Treatment of substance related disorders, 2nd edition revised. Tips to get your clinical authorization approved by the ime. Asam 6 dimension patient placement evaluation completed prior to admission showing evidence of asam 6 dimension impairment criteria are met for asam level 2. If the patients only severity is in dimension 4, 5, and or 6 without high severity in dimensions 1,2 andor 3, then the patient does not quality for level 4 problems in this dimension do not qualify the patient for level 4 services. The american society of addiction medicine asam criteria is an evidence based template to determine the appropriate level of substance use disorder. Addiction should be considered a biopsychosocialspiritual illness, for which the use of medications is only one component of overall treatment. Dimension 1 sample questions are there current signs of withdrawal. The asam national practice guideline for the use of. Today the criteria have become the most widely used and comprehensive set of guidelines for. Treatment criteria for addictive, substancerelated and cooccurring conditions.