Press Release
On Friday June 28, 2024, Deputy Secretary of Maryland’ Behavioral Health Administration, Alyssa Lord, announced that effective Monday July 1, 2024 that the agency would be pausing new licenses for certain behavioral health programs. The programs impacted are:
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs, Health Home
- Level 2.5 Partial Hospital Programs, and
- Level 2.1 Intensive Outpatient Treatment Programs
While the news release did not go into too much detail, the understanding that any NEW providers interested in opening one of the above provider types will not be able to receive a state license for six months. Existing providers are not impacted by this, as of yet.
Now, what does this mean?
Well, we’re still trying to sort through everything and gain clarification on what is happening. Maryland currently requires new providers to receive a preliminary accreditation from a national accrediting body (CARF, Joint Commission, ACHC), before applying for their state license. This means that there are many programs who have either recently received their preliminary accreditation or who have one upcoming that will be impacted by this pause.
Because the Maryland BHA is pausing new licenses, these program types are unable to operate or enroll in Maryland Medicaid. Our team has sent an email to the BHA asking for clarify on this matter and if new programs can continue to submit a license without it being processed or if they will not even accept license applications to be submitted until the pause lifts in January.
The reason for this pause is so the Department as time “to assess and evaluate the provider landscape, the quality of care rendered, compliance with state and federal regulations, and identify, and mitigate potential fraud, waste, and abuse.” Many who work in this industry have seen programs operating outside of the boundaries of what is legal and ethical. This has raised significant concerns for the Department, which is what they’re hoping to address during this moratorium on new licenses.
Are there concerns for existing providers?
While existing programs are not directly impacted by the BHA pausing new licenses for certain behavioral health programs, we believe that during this period we will see increased audits from the BHA. As fraud, waste and abuse are of a major concern, the Department will want to ensure that existing programs are following all legal and state guidelines.
Compliance needs to be a TOP priority for all behavioral healthcare providers. There should be weekly, monthly and quarterly checks to make sure that documentation, client care, staffing requirements and confidentiality are all being kept up with.
Why Compliance is Crucial for Behavioral Health Programs
Compliance is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s the backbone of providing safe, effective, and ethical care. Behavioral health programs must adhere to stringent guidelines and standards set by federal, state, and local authorities. These regulations cover various aspects, including patient care protocols, staff qualifications, record-keeping, and facility standards.
Failing to maintain compliance can lead to severe consequences:
- License Revocation: Non-compliance can result in the loss of the program’s operating license, halting services and affecting both clients and staff.
- Financial Penalties: Programs can face hefty fines for not adhering to regulations, impacting their financial stability.
- Reputation Damage: Non-compliance can tarnish a program’s reputation, making it challenging to rebuild trust with clients and stakeholders.
Given these potential repercussions, it’s imperative for programs to stay updated on regulatory changes and maintain rigorous compliance practices.
How Revive BHS Can Help
At Revive Behavioral Health Solutions (BHS), we understand the complexities and challenges of maintaining compliance in the ever-evolving landscape of behavioral health care. Our team of is dedicated to helping behavioral health programs navigate these challenges through comprehensive compliance support services that include:
- Regulatory Updates: We keep you informed about the latest regulatory changes and what they mean for your program.
- Compliance Audits: Our thorough audits help identify potential areas of non-compliance and provide actionable recommendations to address them.
- Staff Training: We offer specialized training programs to ensure your team is well-versed in compliance requirements and best practices.
- Policy Development: We assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures that align with current regulations and standards.
- Ongoing Maintenance: We offer monthly ongoing compliance services to help programs keep up with all of the state and federal requirements.
If you’re interested in setting up an initial consultation, please reach out to us today!