OMHSAS Issues Bulletin for Home Host Treatment IBHS & CRR
OMHSAS has released the following bulletin that applies to providers of Community Residential Rehabilitation (CRR) services that provide behavioral health treatment services in host homes to children and youth under 18 years of age in the Medical Assistance (MA), Fee-For-Service (FFS), and managed care delivery systems.
On October 19, 2019, the Department promulgated 55 Pa. Code Chapters 1155 and 5240, which codified the minimum standards for licensing and MA payment conditions for agencies that deliver Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) to children, youth, and young adults under 21 years of age with mental, emotional and behavioral health needs.
The regulations replaced the requirements for Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS) previously set forth in bulletins issued by the Department. Because IBHS replaced BHRS, BHRS will not be compensable after January 17, 2021.
Specialized behavioral health treatment provided in the CRR host home setting is not considered IBHS. Because the behavioral health treatment component provided in a CRR host home setting cannot be provided through IBHS, the Department is issuing procedures for how CRR providers who provide services in a host home setting can continue to provide specialized behavioral health treatment.
Please review OMHSAS 21-04 Home Host Treatment Bulletin for guidance. There are procedural steps for existing and new providers that should be followed in accordance with this bulletin as well as identified code procedures.
There are also addition attachments related to the bulletin:
- Attachment A – Service Description Format
- Attachment B – Fee-For-Service Prior Authorization Instructions
- Attachment C – OMHSAS Contact List Regional Field Offices
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Children’s Policy Director Jim Sharp.
