department of health & mental hygiene alcohol & drug abuse administration mental hygiene...

Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

Alcohol & Drug Abuse Administration

Mental Hygiene Administration

March 16, 2012

Behavioral Health Regulations:

Workgroup Report

Overview

A workgroup was formed to examine State

regulations addressing community mental

health and substance use disorder programs in

order to make recommendations for changes

needed to support a community behavioral

healthcare system.

Guiding Principles

Address both system & service integration

Promote administrative simplicity

Facilitate & support use of evidence-based interventions

Promote person-centered approach

Create integrated regulatory system for providers serving those with substance use disorders and mental illness

Align BH quality control mechanisms with those applied to somatic health

Address regulations, not financing Eliminate duplication with other regulations:

Health Occupations Boards, FDA Achieve consistency in service delivery

Objectives

New Approach

Transition from reliance on State regulations to recognition of accreditation by nationally accrediting entity.

New Approach – State’s Role

Requires & monitors accrediting status of providers.

Maintains regulations for activities not covered by accreditation standards.

Assists providers with transition to accreditation.

Benefits of Accreditation Providers expected to respond to one set of

standards. Providers able to apply greater focus to

quality instead of compliance. Providers will meet insurance

reimbursement requirements State resources have increased capacity to

follow-up on concerns/complaints and focus on non-reimburseable service development and provision

WHO will be required to be accredited?

Exemptions:FQHCsHospital programs in regulated spaceLicensed individuals in solo or group practice

Applies to:

All other mental health, substance use disorder & co-occurring treatment programs

Examples1. Licensed individuals in solo or group MH or SA practice where non-licensed staff do not practice: no accreditation required

2. Program employs licensed and non-licensed staff: accreditation required

3. Program employs non-licensed staff: accreditation required

WHEN will transition occur?

July 2012: Final Workgroup Recommendations

January 2013: Legislation introduced

July 2013: Legislation implemented

July 2015: Compliance with legislation required

HOW will transition proceed?Further analysis by Workgroup

Additional & on-going opportunities to provide

feedback.

Accrediting entities must be approved by State.

State exploring methods to help facilitate

transition for providers.

Integrated Regulations Workgroup

Contact us: regulations_integration@dhmh.state.md.us

The Joint Commission 

Peggy Lavin, LCSW

Senior Associate Director

Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program Phone: 630-792-5411

E-mail:     plavin@jointcommission.org

EvelynChoi, MS, MT(ASCP)Senior Accreditation SpecialistBehavioral Health Care Accreditation ProgramPhone:     630-792-5866E-mail:     echoi@jointcommission.org

Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)

Kathy Lauerman 

isklauerman@carf.org

888-281-6531, ext. 7168

Council on Accreditation (COA)

Zoë Hutchinson Manager of Client and Sponsor RelationsCouncil on Accreditation (COA) Phone: (212) 797-3000 ext. 242 Email: zhutchinson@coanet.org