DMH communicated to providers through its ‘News Briefs”, Volume 3, Number 1, in March 2002, that telephone contacts with consumers, significant others, and collateral sources were reimbursable as Mental Health Rehabilitation Services.

This Bulletin serves as official notice that beginning July 1, 2008 only Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) & Community Based (CBI) Intervention services provided telephonically will be billable. Telephonic services provided to or on behalf of the consumer by ACT and CBI providers should be billed as ACT or CBI without the TU modifier. Telephone contacts for community support, and medication somatic services will not be billable. 
 
All claims billed using the modifier (TU) with dates of service through June 30, 2008 will be paid. All TU claims with dates of service through June 30, 2008 must be submitted to DMH by September 30, 2008. Claims submitted after September 30, 2008 will not be paid.

The services will be paid through Local Funds. If a provider does not have the necessary local allocation to cover the reimbursement for these services, DMH will provide additional funds to cover the reimbursement. Payments to providers will be processed beginning August 4, 2008. It will take one week for DMH to process all outstanding telephonic services claims.
 
DMH is working to develop a reimbursement structure for Care Coordination (new service) and Crisis Calls. DMH will provide regular updates at the Provider meetings as to the progress in developing the services.

If you have additional questions please contact your Provider Relations Representative.