Skip Navigation LinksAFL-19-02

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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor

State of Californiaā€”Health and Human Services Agency
California Department of Public Health


AFL 19-02
January 4, 2019


TO:
General Acute Care Hospitals (GACH)
Acute Psychiatric Hospitals (APH)
Chemical Dependency Recovery Hospitals (CDRH)

SUBJECT:
Medication Assisted Treatment for Narcotic Addiction


ā€‹AUTHORITY:     Health and Safety Code (HSC) section 11217(h)


All Facilities Letter (AFL) Summary

This AFL clarifies licensing requirements for GACHs, APHs, and CDRHs related to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for narcotic addiction.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has received several inquiries regarding addiction treatment pursuant to HSC section 11217(h). GACHs, APHs, and CDRHs approved as narcotic treatment programs may each treat an addiction to a narcotic drug, including using MAT protocols, under their respective facility license. HSC section 11217(h) does not require a GACH or an APH to also have a CDRH license to provide addiction treatment.

All Narcotic Treatment Programs must be licensed through the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). This requirement does not apply during emergency treatment, or where the patientā€™s addiction is complicated by the presence of an incurable disease, serious accident or injury, or the infirmities of old age. In addition to obtaining licensure approval from DHCS, approval must also be received from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) before program operations can commence.

If you have any questions about this AFL, please contact your local district office.

 

Sincerely,

Original signed by Scott Vivona

Scott Vivona
Assistant Deputy Director

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