NJ A626

Requires Medicaid to cover substance use disorder services provided by licensed community-based organizations, including harm reduction centers, when patients are referred by a certified or licensed health care provider.

Allows opioid treatment programs to establish medication units (brick-and-mortar or mobile) that can provide intake assessments, initiation of medication-assisted treatment (methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone), and telecounseling services.

Prohibits opioid treatment programs from discharging patients administratively due to missed doses, non-participation, or continued illicit substance use unless the risk of continued use outweighs the risk of overdose death following treatment termination.

Removes the requirement that patients participate in counseling to receive medication for opioid use disorder, and reduces mandatory drug screenings to a minimum of eight per year.

Directs the Commissioner of Health to establish licensure standards for community-based organizations providing substance use disorder services to Medicaid recipients and to create a training and technical assistance program to help these organizations meet enrollment requirements.