This regulation establishes general requirements for all substance use disorder (SUD) levels of care certified under DC's behavioral health framework. Providers must use ASAM criteria and Department-approved assessment tools to place and transition clients across levels of care, ensure person-centered and medically necessary treatment, and comply with all applicable scope-of-practice and licensing laws. Providers must also offer all FDA-approved medications for SUD (MSUD) to eligible clients or refer them to a provider that can, and may not deny admission solely because a client is receiving MSUD services from another provider.
View official sourceLEVELS OF CARE: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS All individuals seeking SUD services must be assessed and referred to a particular LOC in accordance with the Department-approved assessment tool(s) and ASAM criteria. Each provider shall ensure that the client receives treatment in accordance with ASAM criteria and this chapter. Each provider shall ensure that all staff comply with all Federal and District laws and regulations pertaining to scope of practice, licensing requirements, and supervision requirements. All treatment shall be: Person-centered; Provided only if determined to be medically necessary in accordance with the Plan of Care; and Provided as part of organized or structured treatment services. Prior to transitioning to a new LOC, at a minimum, an Ongoing Diagnostic Assessment must be performed to ensure that the client is appropriate for the new LOC. The Clinical Care Coordinator shall ensure appropriate client referrals, authorizations, and transitions to new LOCs. 6328.7 A certified provider shall not deny admission for services to an otherwise qualified client because that person is receiving MSUD services even if the MSUD services are provided by a different provider. 6328.8 All providers shall offer all Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved forms of MSUD to any client who meets the criteria for and selects MSUD as part of their Plan of Care, in accordance with certification under this chapter or other Federal and District laws and regulations. If a provider is not certified to offer the client’s choice of medication in accordance with this chapter or under any other Federal and District laws and regulations, then the provider shall refer the client to another provider able to offer MSUD that meets the client's needs. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 12056 (September 4, 2015); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 011585 (October 9, 2020); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 72 DCR 008497 (August 1, 2025). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Mental Health 22-A DCMR § 6328