DearNJSAMSUsers,

This Release Content Letter (RCL) announces the new features in NJSAMS3.4 release. Highlight of the release is Clinical Approval and Treatment Authorization approval process by IMEfor managed initiatives.


1.Highlights of new featuresin NJSAMS 3.4

  • At present provider users can obtain treatment authorization for all state fee for service initiatives. With the NJSAMS 3.4 release providers are required to send request for initial and extension request treatment authorization to IME for review and approval for managed initiatives.
  • We have categorized funding source categories into managed and non-managed.
  • IME Managed initiatives are: DUII, SJI, MATI and Medicaid
  • During Clinical approval process, IME will review client’s DSM-5 and LOCI 3 submitted by providers.
  • Availability of Medicaid Authorization Information Module.

State Fund Initiative Only
Description / IOP/PC / STR / HWH / LTR / Detox / OP
First Authorization is a Clinical Authorization / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / No
Length of Each Authorization / 30 days / 7 or 14 or 25 days / 7, 14 or 30 Days / 7, 14 or 30 / 5 Days / 30
Subsequent authorization prior to Extension limits (Admin authorization) / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Number of days at which an extension request can be made (ERL) and IME will review *until June 30. / 120 / 25 / 120 / 120 / 10 / n/a
  • Selection of funding source is relocated to the first page of admission module.
  • Service providers are required to complete admission module in order to submit request to IME for managed initiative funding.
  • IME can change Initiative and site submitted by service provider based on funding availability.
  • IME candeny clinical request with the reasons.
  • New ERL (Extension Request LOCI) Reviewer Role is introduced for IMEto manage extension request for managed initiatives.
  • Clinical request is not applicable for Standard Outpatient Services (OP) and Methadone OPIOID Maintenance OP for state funded initiatives.
  • COWS and CIWA three questions were added under LOCI-3 at Dimension 1 of “Acute Intoxication / Withdrawal Potential”.

3.No changes in the NJSAMS process for Non IME Managed Initiatives, other public and non-public funding

  • The service providers can secure treatment authorization (Drug Court, SPB and DOC) as admin treatment authorization and no clinical approval is required.
  • MATI-MMU and women set-aside funding is unchanged.

* At which time new authorization parameters will be implemented for state services.


4.Admission Statuses are as follows.

  1. Admission in Progress: Fist accordion saved and remaining required fields in admission section are incomplete.
  2. Admission - Require Clinical Approval: Required fields in admission section are completed and selected funding source is Managed (Client is ready to send IME for clinical approval).
  3. Admission - Clinical Approval Pending: Funding is Managed and request has been sent to IME for approval
  4. Admission - Clinically Denied: Funding source is managed;clinical request has been reviewed and denied with a reason by IME.
  5. Admission - Clinically Approved: Funding is Managed, Request has been reviewed and approved (No authorization has been secured yet).
  6. Admission – Care coordination: Funding is managed;Request has been reviewed and approved but unable to secure an authorization. Agency can change the client funding source if any other funding is available (other than non-managed).
  7. Admitted - Require Clinical Approval: Funding is managed; client is receiving treatment and requires another clinical approval after subsequent admin authorizations (Current ERL Stage).
  8. Admitted – Clinical Approval Pending: Funding is managed, client is receiving treatment and a clinical request has been sent to IME for another clinical approval after subsequent admin authorizations (Current ERL Stage).
  9. Admitted – Clinically Denied: Funding is managed, Client is receiving treatment and a request has been sent to IME for another clinical approval but request has been denied.
  10. Admitted – Clinically Approved: Funding is managed, Client is receiving treatment and a request has been sent and was approved by IME
  11. Admission - Care coordination: Funding is managed, clinical request has been approved but unable to secure treatment authorization.

5.If the client’s funding source is non IME Managed, other public and non-public funding, the client
status will change to admitted if all required fields in admission module are entered.

6.DSM-5 and LOCI-3re-assessment can be done if IME denies. NJSAMS keeps history of DSM-5 and LOCI-3 to review.

Brian G. Regan

Assistant Director

Office of Information Systems (OIS)

Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services

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