October 2025 Top of Mind

Need to know: Louisiana Medicaid service manual updates

On Aug. 22, the Louisiana Department of Health released changes to the Addiction Services – Opioid Treatment Programs chapter of the Medicaid State Behavioral Health Services Manual. Please familiarize yourself with these updates as they affect your provider responsibilities.

Key language, service and process changes include:

• Language: Medication Assisted Treatment is now referred to as Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and Opioid Treatment is now referred to as Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)
• Treatment plan processes: Must now be signed by a Licensed Mental Health Professional or the Opioid Treatment Program practitioner (formerly a physician could sign them)
• Treatment service: There are numerous changes to Take Home Dosing requirements, restrictions and exceptions
• Provider and staffing requirements: There are several changes to reporting, training and staff roles and responsibilities

Please review the updated Louisiana Behavioral Health Services Treatment Manual, Chapter 2 Addiction Services, Section 2.4 and update your processes as needed.