Addiction Committees

Acute Treatment Services (ATS/Detox) Committee
This committee focuses on issues related to ATS and Enhanced ATS services purchased by the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services for uninsured clients and by MassHealth, MCEs, the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership and other insurance payers. The committee discusses insurance-related authorization problems, census and staffing/licensing requirements, the ongoing need for a rate increase, applicable program guidelines and standards and data as it relates to ESM access, operational reports and client outcomes.
Meets every other month.

Clinical Stabilization Service (CSS/Post Detox Step-Down Services)
As a new service model, this committee focuses on numerous start-up challenges between the state, MassHealth and the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership regarding the model and variances between standards of care, contracts with insurance companies, rate of payment and operational issues. The agenda for this committee is driven by the needs of its members. Due to recent budget cuts, the primary issue of concern has become the reduced lengths of stay and the utilization review of extension requests by payers.
Meets every other month.

Driver Alcohol Education/Second Offender Aftercare Committee (DAE/SOA)
This committee discusses services provided to court-referred clients and includes discussions about their relationships and communications with District Courts, probation and officials at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The agenda for this committee is multi-faceted and driven by the needs of its members. The committee has developed models of standardized forms, conducts surveys, reviews licensing requirements and participates on the Interagency Drunk Driving Task Force as operated by the RMV. It also dedicates a significant amount of time to understanding the laws and regulations as related to drunk and/or drugged driving.
Meets monthly.

Opioid Treatment Providers Committee (Methadone)
This committee focuses on policies and issues related to methadone and buprenorphine (Suboxone) treatment. Due to the state’s continuing epidemic of opioid abuse and deaths from overdose, this committee has been addressing a range of current issues including changes in federal and state regulations and oversight, accreditation, managed care policies and changes, access to care, introduction of new medications, quality of care and operational oversight.
Meets monthly.

Structured Outpatient Addiction Program (SOAP)
This committee discusses the policies, regulations and program standards as they relate to SOAP and Enhanced SOAP programs. Due to recent budget cuts, the agenda for this committee and the primary issue of concern, has been the reduced lengths of stay due to the utilization review by payers. The committee is now focused on understanding Medical Necessity criteria, the ASAM patient placement criteria and how to manage the reduced length of stay for clients.
Meets every other month.

Substance Abuse Residential Committee
The Substance Abuse Residential Committee covers a range of topics related to residential services purchased by the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services in the Residential Recovery, Therapeutic Community and Social Model programs, Transitional Support Services programs and the Family Residential system. The committee addresses issues related to policies, regulations and standards, the percentage of beds purchased by BSAS, program operational issues, staffing, client access issues, rate review and licensing and reporting requirements.
Meets on a quarterly basis with sub-committees.