§ 50-06-42 — Substance use disorder treatment voucher system (Effective through June 30, 2026)

North Dakota § 50-06-42

• Jurisdiction: North Dakota
• Title 50: Public Welfare
• Ch. 50-06: Department of Health and Human Services

Text

June 30, 2026)
1. The department shall establish and administer, within the limits of legislative
appropriations, a voucher system to address underserved areas and gaps in the
state's substance abuse treatment system and to assist in the payment of addiction
treatment services provided by licensed substance abuse treatment programs,
excluding state-operated behavioral health clinics and hospital- or medical clinic-based
programs for medical management of withdrawal. An out-of-state licensed substance
abuse treatment program located within a bordering state may participate in the
voucher program to serve an underserved area of this state pursuant to the rules
adopted by the department. The department shall develop rules to include processes
and requirements for an out-of-state provider to receive reimbursement only for
outpatient and community-based services upon a provider completing an assessment
of need and receiving approval from the department.
2. Services eligible for the voucher program include only those levels of care recognized
by the American society of addiction medicine, with particular emphasis given to
underserved areas and programs. The department shall ensure that a licensed
substance abuse treatment program, hospital, and medical clinic program accepting
vouchers collects and reports process and outcome measures.
3. The department shall develop requirements and provide training and technical
assistance to a licensed substance abuse treatment program, hospital, and medical
clinic program accepting vouchers. A licensed substance abuse treatment program,
hospital, and medical clinic program accepting vouchers shall provide evidence-based
services.
4. The department shall allocate funding appropriated for the substance use disorder
treatment voucher as follows:
a. No more than forty-five percent of the appropriated amount may be allocated for
residential substance use disorder services administered by licensed substance
abuse treatment programs with more than sixteen beds.
b. The remaining appropriation must be allocated for residential programs with
sixteen or fewer beds, nonresidential outpatient, and ancillary substance use
disorder services administered by licensed substance abuse treatment programs.
Substance use disorder treatment voucher system. (Effective after June 30, 2026)
1. The department shall establish and administer, within the limits of legislative
appropriations, a voucher system to address underserved areas and gaps in the
state's substance abuse treatment system and to assist in the payment of addiction
treatment services and medical costs provided by licensed substance abuse treatment
programs, excluding state-operated behavioral health clinics and hospital- or medical
clinic-based programs for medical management of withdrawal. An out-of-state licensed
substance abuse treatment program located within a bordering state may participate in

the voucher program to serve an underserved area of this state pursuant to the rules
adopted by the department. The department shall develop rules to include processes
and requirements for an out-of-state provider to receive reimbursement only for
outpatient and community-based services upon a provider completing an assessment
of need and receiving approval from the department.
2. Services eligible for the voucher program include only those levels of care recognized
by the American society of addiction medicine, with particular emphasis given to
underserved areas and programs. The department shall ensure that a licensed
substance abuse treatment program, hospital, and medical clinic program accepting
vouchers collects and reports process and outcome measures.
3. The department shall develop requirements and provide training and technical
assistance to a licensed substance abuse treatment program, hospital, and medical
clinic program accepting vouchers. A licensed substance abuse treatment program,
hospital, and medical clinic program accepting vouchers shall provide evidence-based
services.
4. The department shall allocate funding appropriated for the substance use disorder
treatment voucher as follows:
a. Except as provided in subdivisions c and d, no more than fifty percent of the
appropriated amount may be allocated for residential substance use disorder
services administered by licensed substance abuse treatment programs with
more than sixteen beds.
b. The remaining appropriation must be allocated for residential programs with
sixteen or fewer beds, nonresidential outpatient, and ancillary substance use
disorder services administered by licensed substance abuse treatment programs.
c. The department, during the last quarter of the biennium, may reallocate projected
unused funds that were allocated under subdivision b to residential facilities
outlined in subdivision a.
d. The department may reimburse a licensed substance abuse treatment program
with more than sixteen beds the incurred direct medical costs of an eligible
individual who does not have resources to cover the medical costs. The
department may develop rules and may not exceed the total amount appropriated
for medical cost reimbursement.