Goals

• Offer information to American Indians and Alaska Natives regarding health care coverage options, crisis services and transitional care planning, and mental health and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery support.
• Manage Indian Nation Agreements (INA) and other agreements with tribes, tribal related organizations, and Indian health care providers for their delivery of  health related programs. 
• Develop policies and programs in partnership with tribes and Indian health care providers. 
• Provide technical assistance and training to HCA staff on government-to-government relations and cultural humility.
• Meet and communicate regularly with tribes, tribal-related organizations and Indian health care providers.
• Collaborate with tribes and Indian health care providers to develop and maintain government-to-government plans for crisis, care coordination and transition planning, and mutual program goals.  
  • Work with Administrative Service Organizations (ASO), Managed Care Organizations, and service providers to implement the government-to-government plans. 
• Facilitate meetings between HCA and tribes, including Tribal Consultations.
• Respond to tribal-related questions and issues.
• Provide technical assistance to tribes, Indian health care providers, and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) on HCA policies for Apple Health (Medicaid) claims submission and adjudication.  
• Assist tribes and Indian health care providers with issues and concerns.

How do I?

• Decide if I need Apple Health
• Sign up for Apple Health
• Find the nearest tribal or urban Indian clinic
• Find tribal billing resources

4th edition timeline

SB 5361 passed in the 2025 legislative session, delaying the adoption date until January of 2028.

Read the ASAM adoption readiness FAQ

While the adoption date is delayed, clinicians are encouraged to continue to work on quality improvement and attend trainings through June of 2025. 

Training courses will:

• Be held virtually.
• Start in July 2024 and run through June 2025.
• Be offered by the Train for Change Company and free of charge (funded by the Washington State Legislature and State Opioid Response Grant).

The Adolescent and Transition Age Youth version is anticipated to be released in 2026.

4th edition trainings

Tier 1: The Evolution of The ASAM Criteria: What’s New in the 4th Edition.

This is a great training for a broad audience who works in the field and wants a consolidated overview of the ASAM updates. Tier 1 training is for anyone and everyone in the behavioral health field.

Tier 2: Two-day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill-building Training

This is a prerequisite for Tier 3 training. Tier 2 training will benefit clinicians who are newer to the field or are substance use disorder professionals who would benefit from an in-depth course.

Tier 3: Implementation, Improvement, Sustainability, and Coaching of The ASAM Criteria. A “How to,” Science-based Approach.

This training is designed for clinical supervisors, directors, administrators, and decision makers who play a key role in implementation and ongoing support of adopting the changes within their organization.

How do I participate in trainings?

• Read the 4th edition ASAM FAQ.
• Select the training that you want to attend.
• Sign up using the email address for the location where you will attend the virtual training.
• Once registered, you will receive an email confirmation.
  • Spots are limited. Please reach out to the contact person on the confirmation email to cancel the training if you cannot attend.

All trainings are offered by the Train for Change company. Although the trainings are free of charge, you will need to purchase The ASAM Criteria, 4th Edition.