Does an addiction medicine or MAT clinic in Alaska need a medical director?

Q: Does an addiction medicine or MAT clinic in Alaska need a medical director?

Yes. The rule calls the role Medical Director. As defined in 42 C.F.R. § 8.2, incorporated by reference — a physician who assumes responsibility for administering all medical services performed by the opioid treatment program.

💊 Addiction Medicine / MAT Clinic · Alaska

Alaska: medical director and delegated services for an addiction medicine or MAT clinic

Whether Alaska requires a physician medical director for an addiction medicine or MAT clinic, the qualifications, duties, and what the state says about the staff who deliver protocol-driven services.

Medical directorMedical director required

Research date2026-09-03

Qualifications

As defined in 42 C.F.R. § 8.2, incorporated by reference — a physician who assumes responsibility for administering all medical services performed by the opioid treatment program.

Duties the rule assigns

Assume overall responsibility for all opioid-treatment medical services (per 42 C.F.R. Part 8, adopted by reference)
Authority to order withdrawal of services, including before the 21-day minimum, when medically necessary

Notes

Alaska's own rule doesn't independently define the role — it requires opioid use disorder treatment providers to comply with 42 C.F.R. Part 8 in full and adopts that regulation's 'medical director' definition (42 C.F.R. § 8.2) by reference. This is a federal SAMHSA/DEA-certification requirement Alaska has made a state licensing condition, not a distinct AK-specific standard.

Sources (1)

7 AAC 70.125 (Opioid use disorder treatment program requirements, adopting 42 C.F.R. Part 8 by reference)secondary

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