✯ Remaining September 2025 Events & Medicaid Info ✯

Sep 12, 2025 12:01 pm

✯ Remaining September 2025 Events & Medicaid Info ✯

Dear MMHCA Members,

Following are MMHCA the remaining member events for September 2025. Please join us!

✯ Supervisor Consultation Group ✯

Our monthly Consultation Group for Counseling Supervisor members meets Thursday, September 18th, 12-12:45pm. This group is available as a free benefit only for MMHCA Supervisor and Counselor Educator members and is led by Dr. Larry Pfaff. Those planning to attend must register for the session in advance and must be a Supervisor Member. Register here.

✯ Member Q & A and Networking ✯

Please join our regular monthly virtual networking event where you can ask questions of and interact with Board members on Wednesday, September 17th, 8:00pm - 9:00pm. Members planning to attend must register for the session in advance. Register here.

✯ Medicare Q & A ✯

Dr. Elizabeth Teklinski will be conducting an “Ask Me Anything: Medicare & Private Practice Billing” the last Thursday of each month and will meet next September 25th, 12-12:45pm. Ask questions about Medicare billing, private practice and incident-to billing, EMDR 90837 CPT Code use, documentation requirements, Medigap, Advantage, Enrollment and more! Members planning to attend must register for the session in advance. Register here.

✯ From Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) ✯

Mental Health Framework

Reminder Changes Coming

Beginning in October 2025, all qualified mental health providers[1] participating in Michigan’s Medicaid program and contracted with an MHP and/or PIHP will need to incorporate into their practice:

Use of standardized tools for assessing the level of mental health need of CHCP enrollees seeking mental health. The State’s designated assessment tools are the Michigan Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (MichiCANS) Screener for children and youth (under 21) and the Level of Care Utilization System (LOCUS) for adults (21 and older).
Adoption of a standardized referral process for mental health services, including use of a new referral platform accessible to mental health providers, primary care providers, Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSPs), MHPs and PIHPs.

Beginning in October 2026, MHPs will begin covering additional mental health services—including inpatient psychiatric care, crisis residential services, partial hospitalization services, and targeted case management—for enrollees with lower levels of mental health need. Providers of these services should prepare to contract with MHPs, as well as PIHPs, for coverage effective October 1, 2026.

Reminder - Action Required

All qualified mental health providers[1] please click the link below and complete the form, to receive further details regarding standardized assessment training.

Form - https://bphasa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_abmRPASQCcGOgOq

Those who have indicated that they are in need of MichiCANS training, will receive an email from the Praed Foundation (email address: no-reply@schoolx.com) which will provide information on how to move forward with MichiCANS Screener trainings. LOCUS training information is forthcoming.

If you have questions about the new Mental Health Framework please email MDHHS at MDHHS-MentalHlthFramework@michigan.gov

✯ Meridian Medicaid - out of network ✯

Effective September 1, 2025, Meridian will implement a prior authorization requirement for services received from out-of-network Behavioral Health (BH) providers.

Please note - this requirement does not apply to emergency room care, urgent care, or services provided at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), or Tribal Health Centers (THCs).

You can view the full update on Meridian's website here: Prior Authorization for Out of Network Behavioral Health Services

If you have questions please email us at MMHCABOARD@MMHCANOW.ORG.

In Service,

MMHCA’s Volunteer Board of Directors

Christopher DeBoer, President

Krystin Sankey, Treasurer

Carol Berger, Secretary

Members at Large:

Dr. Stephanie Burns

Dr. Joy Creel

David Flowers

Dr. Katherine James