Clarity Offered on Crisis Services across Standard Plans

A memo was released by NC DHHS on March 6^th that provides detail about needed capacity for Standard Plans in crisis services.  Within the current structure of Medicaid, individuals with behavioral health crises are referred directly to the LME/MCOs.  When the shift to have Medicaid beneficiaries with mild to moderate behavioral health needs in the Standard Plans occurs, Standard Plans will have contractual and regulatory expectations to comply with related to crisis services.  The memo addresses the expectations of Standard Plans once Medicaid managed care is implemented.  The contract that Standard Plans hold with NC DHHS includes a provision requiring them to:

• Operate a 24/7/365 Behavioral Health Crisis Line staffed by skilled and licensed BH professionals;
• Participate in the development of the Local Area Crisis Service Plans (see below for more info);
• Offer a specified spectrum of crisis services;
• Contract with the BH crisis providers identified in the Plan

Each LME/MCO is required to oversee a Community Crisis Service Plan within their catchment area.  This requirement is due to a 2018 law that made significant changes to the Involuntary Commitment laws and a subsequent 2019 omnibus law made amendments and additions.  The new law includes the requirement for Community Crisis Service Plans [and the connected Local Area Crisis Service Plans].  These plans formalize the community approaches to supporting individuals in a behavioral health crisis.  Issues such as voluntary and involuntary commitment, delineation of responsibilities – including those of law enforcement, and transport are expected to be addressed. 

The i2i Center for Integrative Health will offer a Closing Plenary at the upcoming Spring Conference “3 Cs of Success”, June 15-16, that provides conferees an update on the NC DHHS vision for crisis services and a robust discussion among PHPs and LME/MCOs on transition of care issues.