Mobile Crisis Response (H2011) process changes effective December 15, 2023 per Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDS) Administrative Instructional Memo

Bulletin

November 9, 2023, 4:15PM

To:

All Providers of Behavioral Health Services, Acentra Health, Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus Managed Care Plans and Medallion 4 Managed Care Plans

From:

Cheryl J. Roberts, Director Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)

The purpose of this bulletin is to notify providers that DMAS will be updating the Comprehensive Crisis and Transition Services Appendix (Appendix G) of the Mental Health Services Manual to include a link to the DBHDS November 1, 2023 Administrative Instructional Memo titled “Crisis Services Administrative Instructional Memo: Mobile Crisis Process Changes Effective December 15, 2023”, available here.

DMAS is collaborating with DBHDS, regional mobile crisis hubs, and Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to ensure coordinated care and access to crisis services during the implementation of these changes. These changes go into effect December 15, 2023.

The below language, included in table #1, from the Comprehensive Crisis and Transition Services Appendix (Appendix G) of the Mental Health Services Manual requires that Mobile Crisis Response providers adhere to DBHDS requirements for Mobile Crisis Response services in order to receive reimbursement, which includes requirements outlined in the November 1, 2023, DBHDS notice to Mobile Crisis Response providers.

The DMAS and corresponding DBHDS requirements include:

Table #1

DMAS Comprehensive Crisis and Transition Services Appendix (Appendix G) of the Mental Health Services Manual	DBHDS Crisis Services Administrative Instructional Memo: Mobile Crisis Process Changes Effective December 15, 2023
From Required Activities, p. 7: “The provider must engage with the DBHDS crisis data platform as required by DBHDS.”	“Mobile Crisis Response will be dispatched only by the 988 call centers or regional crisis hubs after a determination is made.” “Providers will not be able to register Mobile Crisis Response cases directly in Virginia Crisis Connect.” “Providers of Mobile Crisis Response will be dispatched to referrals via Virginia Crisis Connect.”
From Service Authorization, p. 12: “The registration form must be submitted with the required DBHDS crisis data platform reference number.”	“The Virginia Crisis Connect platform will not generate a reference number for providers (unless the referral comes from the 988 call center or mobile regional crisis hub)”
From Provider Qualifications, p. 10: “Mobile Crisis Response providers must have an active, DBHDS approved Memorandum of Understanding with the regional crisis hubs via DBHDS. This requirement does not apply to CSBs that act as the regional hub or CSBs providing only emergency services pursuant to section §37.2-800 et. seq. and section §16.1-335 et seq. of the Code of Virginia.”	“These process changes will go into effect December 15, 2023, and are in alignment with the current MOU which states, “It is fully recognized by all partners in this process that the system is in development and that protocols will be updated and refined on a continuous basis, in alignment with developments in other areas of the crisis system.”
From Provider Qualifications, p. 10: “Mobile Crisis Response providers must be licensed by DBHDS as a provider of Outpatient Crisis Stabilization services and be enrolled as a provider with DMAS.” “Mobile Crisis Response providers must follow all general Medicaid provider requirements specified in Chapter II of this manual and complete DBHDS training for this service as required by DBHDS.”

DMAS Comprehensive Crisis and Transition Services Appendix (Appendix G) of the Mental Health Services Manual

DBHDS Crisis Services Administrative Instructional Memo: Mobile Crisis Process Changes Effective December 15, 2023

From Required Activities, p. 7:

“The provider must engage with the DBHDS crisis data platform as required by DBHDS.”

“Mobile Crisis Response will be dispatched only by the 988 call centers or regional crisis hubs after a determination is made.”

“Providers will not be able to register Mobile Crisis Response cases directly in Virginia Crisis Connect.”

“Providers of Mobile Crisis Response will be dispatched to referrals via Virginia Crisis Connect.”

From Service Authorization, p. 12:

“The registration form must be submitted with the required DBHDS crisis data platform reference number.”

“The Virginia Crisis Connect platform will not generate a reference number for providers (unless the referral comes from the 988 call center or mobile regional crisis hub)”

From Provider Qualifications, p. 10:

“Mobile Crisis Response providers must have an active, DBHDS approved Memorandum of Understanding with the regional crisis hubs via DBHDS. This requirement does not apply to CSBs that act as the regional hub or CSBs providing only emergency services pursuant to section §37.2-800 et. seq. and section §16.1-335 et seq. of the Code of Virginia.”

“These process changes will go into effect December 15, 2023, and are in alignment with the current MOU which states, “It is fully recognized by all partners in this process that the system is in development and that protocols will be updated and refined on a continuous basis, in alignment with developments in other areas of the crisis system.”

From Provider Qualifications, p. 10:

“Mobile Crisis Response providers must be licensed by DBHDS as a provider of Outpatient Crisis Stabilization services and be enrolled as a provider with DMAS.”

“Mobile Crisis Response providers must follow all general Medicaid provider requirements specified in Chapter II of this manual and complete DBHDS training for this service as required by DBHDS.”

Upcoming Webinar

DBHDS, in coordination with DMAS, will be hosting a webinar related to this update on November 16, 2023, from 11am – 1pm.

Webinar Link
Webinar Number: 2425 440 1445
Webinar Password: eMducvWE773 (36382893 from phones and video systems)
Join by Phone: 1-866-692-4530
Access Code: 242 544 01445

Additional Questions?

Questions related to the DBHDS Administrative Instructional Memo may be sent to DBHDS at crisis_services@dbhds.virginia.gov. Questions related to DMAS requirements may be sent to the DMAS Behavioral Health Division at enhancedbh@dmas.virginia.gov.

PROVIDER CONTACT INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Virginia Medicaid Web Portal Automated Response System (ARS)

Member eligibility, claims status, payment status, service limits, service authorization status, and remittance advice.

https://vamedicaid.dmas.virginia.gov/

Medicall (Audio Response System)

Member eligibility, claims status, payment status, service limits, service authorization status, and remittance advice.

1-800-884-9730 or 1-800-772-9996

Acentra Health

Service authorization information for fee-for-service members.

https://dmas.kepro.com/

Provider Appeals

DMAS launched an appeals portal in 2021. You can use this portal to file appeals and track the status of your appeals. Visit the website listed for appeal resources and to register for the portal.

https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/appeals/

Managed Care Programs

Cardinal Care Managed Care and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). In order to be reimbursed for services provided to a managed care enrolled individual, providers must follow their respective contract with the managed care plan/PACE provider. The managed care plan may utilize different guidelines than those described for Medicaid fee-for-service individuals.

Cardinal Care Managed Care

https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-providers/managed-care/cardinal-care-…

PACE

http://www.dmas.virginia.gov/#/longtermprograms

Magellan Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health Services Administrator, check eligibility, claim status, service limits, and service authorizations for fee-for-service members.

www.MagellanHealth.com/Provider

www.magellanofvirginia.com, email: VAProviderQuestions@MagellanHealth.com,or

Call: 1-800-424-4046

Provider Enrollment

In-State: 804-270-5105

Out of State Toll Free: 888-829-5373