References & Sources

The coverage and clinical information on this site is grounded in official government and recognized clinical sources. Below are the primary references we rely on. You can consult any of them directly.

Insurance & NYSHIP coverage

• NYSHIP — New York State Health Insurance Program (NYS Department of Civil Service): the official NYSHIP site, Empire Plan program contacts and provider search. nyship.ny.gov · Empire Plan contact information · Empire Plan vs. HMO
• Empire Plan At A Glance, January 2026: the plan’s own summary of 2026 benefits, copayments, deductibles and the Mental Health and Substance Use Program. CSEA edition (PDF) · PEF edition (PDF) · Participating Agencies edition (PDF) · Retiree edition (PDF)
• Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA): federal law requiring parity between behavioral-health and medical coverage. CMS — MHPAEA fact sheet
• NY State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS): state addiction services, standards and resources. oasas.ny.gov

Clinical & treatment information

• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): national authority on substance use treatment; National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357). samhsa.gov
• NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse): research on addiction and evidence-based treatment. nida.nih.gov
• NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism): research on alcohol use and treatment. niaaa.nih.gov
• ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine): the ASAM Criteria for levels of care (detox, residential, PHP, IOP). asam.org

Privacy & legal protections

• 42 CFR Part 2: federal confidentiality rules for substance use disorder records. HHS — 42 CFR Part 2 · SAMHSA — statutes & regulations
• HIPAA: federal privacy protections for health information. hhs.gov/hipaa
• FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act): job-protected medical leave. dol.gov — FMLA

Crisis support

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: free, confidential, 24/7 — call or text 988. 988lifeline.org