The Maryland Department of Health will temporarily suspend enrollment of certain types of behavioral health service providers into the Maryland Medicaid program, effective July 1, to address potential fraud, waste and abuse, the department announced in a news release Friday.
The department said the suspension will last for six months and affects four types of behavioral health programs:
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs
- Psychiatric rehabilitation programs, health homes
- Level 2.5 Partial Hospital Program; and
- Level 2.1 Intensive Outpatient Programs
The health department’s decision comes in response to the proliferation of these provider types since provider licensing moved to a certification-only model, which the health department said is approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“Ensuring Marylanders have access to quality behavioral health services is my top priority,” Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health Alyssa Lord said in a news release. “This pause on new provider applications will allow the department to evaluate and assess provider status, the quality of care provided, and compliance with state and federal regulations, and to identify and mitigate potential fraud, waste and abuse.”
The department said the license suspensions will not affect access to mental health services provided by providers in private practice, clinics operating in regulated hospital spaces, or federally qualified health centers. The department will also maintain licensing and registration processes for existing providers who require licenses for license renewals, transfers, mergers and acquisitions, delayed accreditation extensions, and programs identified and funded through state and county grants.
The ministry said licence applications submitted before July 1 will not be affected.
