Standards for Digital Recovery Technology
The SUDF certification framework evaluates digital recovery tools across security, accessibility, evidence basis, and clinical standards — providing the accountability layer that state procurement and Medicaid MCOs require.
The Problem
Digital recovery tools are proliferating with no shared standards. State agencies and MCOs have no way to evaluate whether a technology is clinically safe, accessible to underserved populations, or produces reliable outcome data. Procurement decisions rely on marketing claims.
The SUDF Answer
An independent certification framework with three progressive tiers. Each level requires demonstrated compliance with specific standards for technology, security, accessibility, and clinical practice — giving decision-makers a clear, comparable evaluation rubric.
Three Certification Levels
○
Recognized
Baseline standards met. Technology is secure, accessible, and follows existing laws and regulations. Entry-level compliance for new digital recovery tools.
◉
Certified
Demonstrated clinical protocols, evidence-based intervention design, escalation procedures, and outcome tracking. Ready for state procurement evaluation.
★
Accredited
Full longitudinal outcome data, third-party clinical validation, research-grade data outputs. Gold standard for Medicaid formulary inclusion.
Transparency note: Orbiit, the platform built by SUDF's founding team, currently holds Certified status — not Accredited. Accreditation requires longitudinal outcome data that the platform has not yet accumulated. We hold ourselves to the same standards we ask of others.
What SUDF Evaluates
Evidence Basis
Intervention approaches grounded in peer-reviewed research (MI, CBT, harm reduction, behavioral activation)
Data Privacy & Security
HIPAA compliance, encryption, access controls, audit trails, breach notification protocols
Clinical Escalation
Defined protocols for risk detection, care team alerts, crisis intervention pathways
Accessibility
Availability to underserved populations: no app download, SMS-based, language support
Outcome Measurement
Trackable engagement metrics, adherence data, research-ready outputs for IRB studies
Regulatory Compliance
Alignment with existing federal and state regulations, 42 CFR Part 2, state licensing requirements
Why It Matters
- State procurement offices need evaluation criteria — SUDF provides a standardized rubric
- Medicaid MCOs require compliance documentation before formulary inclusion
- Providers need assurance that the tools they deploy meet clinical and legal standards
- Patients deserve protection from unvetted digital health products
- Researchers need platforms that produce reliable, auditable data for IRB-grade studies
Federal Policy Alignment
✓ Great American Recovery Initiative (GARI)
✓ BRAVE Recovery Initiative
✓ CMS ACCESS Model
✓ Kennedy Forum 90/90/90
✓ SAMHSA Contingency Management
✓ STREETS Act (SUD tech standards)
SUDF's framework was developed before the ACCESS executive order and parallels its requirements for digital recovery technology evaluation.