NJ Medicaid: Substance use disorder laboratory services transition
On July 1, 2026, the New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) folded substance use disorder (SUD) laboratory services, also known as drug testing, into managed care.
Ordering SUD laboratory testing
Ordering providers don’t need to be in-network with a managed care organization (MCO) to order a SUD laboratory test from a network lab until Jan. 1, 2027. Until then, providers may refer a member by completing the lab’s referral form and sending it to the facility where the member will receive services or by giving the requisition directly to the member to bring to their appointment. Use our referral directory to identify participating laboratories and confirm current network participation before establishing a new relationship.
During the transition period, ordering providers may continue to order SUD laboratory testing from out-of-network laboratories. Clean claims submitted by out-of-network, independent laboratories for covered SUD laboratory services will be reimbursed at a rate no lower than the current Medicaid fee-for-service rate, within applicable utilization limits, until DMAHS communicates that the transition period has ended.
| Claim codes for SUD laboratory services | |
|---|---|
| Service | Code |
| Presumptive drug test through direct optical observation | 80305 |
| Presumptive drug test through instrument-assisted observation | 80306 |
| Presumptive drug test through chemistry analyzer | 80307 |
| Definitive drug test for 1–7 drug classes | G0480 |
| Definitive drug test for 8–14 drug classes | G0481 |
Preparing for the transition
As part of readiness expectations, ordering providers should complete preparations to work with network laboratories by Jan. 1, 2027. DMAHS has encouraged ordering providers to begin onboarding and placing SUD laboratory test orders with network laboratories before the end of 2026.
Readiness activities include establishing specimen pickup schedules, setting up technical configurations between your electronic health record (EHR) and the laboratory’s information systems, attending laboratory-organized training and becoming familiar with the laboratory’s end-to-end ordering processes.
Throughout the transition, you may be asked to provide information on lab performance (i.e., via surveys). Please respond to requests from the state and/or MCOs so the state can monitor compliance with lab service level requirements.
Please note: If your organization doesn’t order drug testing for SUD, this information doesn’t apply and no action is needed.
How to begin working with a network laboratory
- Use our referral directory to identify a participating laboratory. Confirm network participation before establishing a new relationship.
- Contact the laboratory to discuss onboarding, available test menus, requisition and ordering processes, specimen requirements, supplies, courier services and result delivery options
- Establish a specimen pickup schedule. Daily on-site pickup should be available unless your organization requests a less frequent schedule.
- Discuss electronic ordering and results delivery, including available EHR integration options. At least 1 network laboratory must offer EHR integration at no charge to the ordering provider.
- Keep the laboratory contact information available for questions about active orders, delayed results, test availability or clinical and technical support
Laboratory contacts for ordering providers
Below is a list of commonly used laboratories. Providers may refer to the DMAHS directory of independent laboratories providing SUD testing services in New jersey FamilyCare MCO networks. Because networks and contact information may change, use our referral directory or contact us to confirm current participation, participating locations and other details.
| Laboratory | Ordering provider contact | How to engage |
|---|---|---|
| Labcorp | Clinical drug testing support line:
| Use the clinical drug testing support line for general menu inquiries, add-on or test change requests, or result-status questions. Use the provider reference hotline for results interpretation and patient-specific technical discussion. |
| Quest Diagnostics | Customer service: 1-866-697-8378
| Contact customer service to begin onboarding or to be connected with the appropriate representative for your location. |
| Millennium Health LLC | Payer relations: payorrelations@millenniumhealth.com
Training/onboarding: Andrew Marbach, senior director of market access, | Contact payer relations for general coordination. For onboarding, be prepared to provide the requested start date, practice name and address, phone and fax numbers, Intellium user name/email/access level, practice specialty, provider name/email and provider NPI. Millennium can also coordinate provider training when dates and times are proposed. |
Available laboratory training
Labcorp is prepared to offer training for SUD ordering providers. Training topics may include:
- Clinical toxicology and medication-assisted treatment testing capabilities
- MAT-specific testing options
- Specimen validity testing, insight reporting and trending
- Provider support lines and access to discipline directors
- New-client onboarding, including electronic ordering, courier pickup, supplies and next steps
Quest Diagnostics provides individualized, in-person onboarding rather than a formal structured training program.
Service expectations and support
- Laboratory points of contact should respond to ordering-provider inquiries by phone or email within 24 hours of initial outreach
- Presumptive tests should be completed within 24 hours after the laboratory takes possession of the specimen. Definitive tests should be completed within 48 hours after the order is placed.
- If you experience difficulty accessing a network laboratory, a delayed active order or obtaining a needed novel-drug test panel, contact us using the options below
- Throughout the transition, respond to state or MCO surveys and readiness requests regarding intended laboratory use, expected test volume, specimen pickup arrangements and laboratory performance
Resources
To receive regular DMAHS SUD laboratory integration updates or submit questions and feedback, email dmahs.sudlabintegration@dhs.nj.gov. Additional readiness details will be shared in the upcoming weeks.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Connect with us through chat 24/7 in the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal. You can also contact Provider Services at 1-888-362-3368, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday, or email uhccpnj_sudservices@uhc.com.
PCA-1-26-002169-C&S-NN_11102026
