December 4, 2001
Dear Opioid Treatment Program Sponsor:
This letter is to apprize you of significant developments affecting opioid treatment
programs. On November 30, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) announced the approval of four accreditation bodies (enclosed) under the
new opioid treatment program regulations (42 CFR Part 8). The four accreditation
bodies are:
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Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
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Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
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Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services (COA)
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Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Alcohol and
Substance Abuse
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We have enclosed additional contact information (see Fact Sheet) about these approved
accreditation bodies.
You may recall, as a condition for "transitional certification" under SAMHSA’s
new regulation (42 CFR §8.11(d)), each OTP agreed to apply to an approved accreditation
body within 90 days from the date SAMHSA approves accreditation bodies under the
rule. Therefore, OTPs with transitional certification must apply to one of the above
accreditation bodies by March 4, 2002. OTPs that have received "provisional certification"
must achieve accreditation within one year of their provisional certification date
(see 42 CFR § 8.11(e)).
CSAT has received questions (enclosed) from OTPs that are presently accredited by
one of the above approved accreditation bodies. These OTPs have asked about the
need to have an accreditation survey conducted at this time. As noted in the preamble
to the final rule (66 FR 4086, January 17, 2001), SAMHSA will consider the issue
on a case-by-case basis. OTPs that believe they have current accreditation status
that involve substantial compliance with the Federal opioid treatment standards
under 42 CFR 8.12, should submit supporting documentation to that effect to SAMHSA
at the following address: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (OPAT), 1 Choke Cherry
Road, Room 2-1075, Rockville, MD 20857
The preamble to the final rule also discussed SAMHSA’s intention to reduce
the economic burden associated with accreditation costs. Accordingly, on October
23, SAMHSA issued a Guidance for Applicants (GFA) to permit approved accreditation
organizations to apply for and obtain grants to reduce accreditation inspection
and training costs to OTPs.
Thank you for your cooperation in this important public health initiative.
Sincerely,
s/
H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., CAS, FASAM
Director
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
Enclosures
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