State Approval

Becoming a state approved program can have the following advantages:

  1. Access to Substance Abuse Block Grant (SABG) funding. State approved programs can apply for SABG contract funds through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process each year (for non-Medicaid covered services and individuals 139-200% FPL)
  2. Access to alcohol tax dollars. 20% of generated alcohol tax dollars are distributed to counties and only state approved programs included in a county plan and located in that county can receive those funds. Funds must be used for substance use disorder (SUD) prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
  3. Per 61-8-1009, MCA, DUI education and assessments must be performed by an LAC at an approved program (currently this is inclusive of the state approved SUD providers)
  4. State approve treatment programs can enroll in Montana Medicaid to bill for covered SUD services.

 

When applying for state approval there are three qualifications to consider: Individual Providers, Facilities, and Prevention Provider. For all three, the Application and Supplement will need to be completed. Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) suggests reviewing ARM: 37.27 Chemical Dependency Program.

State Approved Substance Use Disorder Facilities (SUDF)

Facilities are organizations staffed with professionals from multiple disciplines that vary according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Level of Care being provided. Facilities are staffed by a team of professionals that can be mobilized to offer substance use disorder (SUD) specialty services and multiple levels of care if the organization has the appropriate staffing at a given county location. Facilities receive an annual inspection through the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to ensure compliance with administrative rules.

State Approved Outpatient Treatment Providers

An outpatient treatment provider is a licensed addictions counselor that assumes the role of being the sole owner and operator. This provider offers outpatient services under the scope of their individual license to patients within their county. What sets this apart from a facility is the additional staff needed to offer SUD specialty services. Individual providers receive an annual inspection from BHDD to ensure compliance with administrative rules.

State Approved Prevention Provider

Prevention Providers offer provide prevention and early intervention services as described by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Prevention providers receive an annual inspection from BHDD to ensure compliance with administrative rules. Prevention Providers have the option to offer Early Intervention services, which includes DUI and MIP courses.

What to expect:

Individual and Prevention Providers

  1. Upon the submission of the application, the department will respond within 30 days of receiving the application, the department will notify the applicant in writing of acceptance or denial of the application pursuant to each provider type:
    1. Prevention Provider- 37.27.105 (3)
    2. Individual Outpatient Treatment Provider- 37.27.107 (3)
  2. If written documents submitted to the department do not meet the requirements of these rules and regulations, the department shall notify the applicant in writing. The applicant shall have 30 days from date of notification to respond in writing to the content of the notice. If a response is not received within 30 days, the department may refuse to grant approval and shall notify the applicant in writing of the action taken.
  3. If the application and supporting documentation meet the application requirements, the department shall issue provisional approval. Within 90 days of granting provisional approval, the department shall inspect the provider either on-site or remotely:
    1. For Individual Providers- ARM 37.27.107 (4) 
    2. Prevention Providers offering Early Intervention services-  ARM 37.27.105 (4).
  4. Prevention and Individual Providers will receive a with initial review from BHDD for full-state approval inspection. The provider will be scheduled a documentation review with BHDD, either on-site or remotely. If the provider demonstrates compliance with administrative rules, a letter for full state approval will be issued.
    1. For further insight on what to expect from the documentation review, please review the following resources:
      1. Individual Providers: 
        1. BHDD Medicaid Provider Services Manual for SUD and Adult Mental Health
          1. Policy# 110-135 & 520
        2. ARM 37.27.120 (b)
        3. If offering DUI and MIP courses: ARM 37.27 Subchapter 5
      2. Prevention Providers offering Early intervention:
        1. BHDD Medicaid Provider Services Manual for SUD and Adult Mental Health
        2. Policy# 110, 115, 130, and 135
        3. ARM 37.27 Subchapter 5
  5. Once full state approval has been granted, providers delivering SUD treatment services can enroll in MT Medicaid.

Substance Use Disorder Facilities

  1. SUDF's must obtain their facility license from OIG before applying for state approval.
    1. SUDF's can apply on their licensing site under:
      1. Licensing System Resources
        1. Be sure to review the webinar before applying on the Provider Portal.
  2. Upon the submission of the application, the department will respond within 30 days of receiving the application, the department will notify the applicant in writing of acceptance or denial of the application pursuant to SUDF- 37.27.106 (3).
  3. If the application and supporting documentation meet the application requirements, the department shall issue full-state approval. 

All Provider Types

Each provider will be reviewed by the department annually to ensure quality standards are being met for state approval and  BHDD Medicaid Services Provider Manual per their respective ARM:

  1. Prevention Provider- 37.27.105 (8)&(9)
  2. Substance Use Disorder Facility- 37.27.106 (7)&(9)
    1. Every two years.
  3. Individual- 37.27.107 (8)&(9)

 

Important Note

Being granted full state approval from the department does not mean a program and/or provider is automatically enrolled into Medicaid. They must go enroll on MPATH Provider Services. A separate department handles the enrollments: Conduent. Their contact information is the following:

  • Provider Relations (In/Out of state): 1 (800) 624-3958
  • Provider Relations (Helena): (406) 442-1837
  • Provider Relations (Fax): (406) 442-4402
  • mtprhelpdesk@conduent.com

 

Once the application has been completed, please send to:

Cody Magpie LAC
Substance Use Disorder Program Officer
bhddapprovalapps@mt.gov

 

The Program Officer can be reached at: 406-444-9582 for any questions, concerns, and/or guidance regarding the approval process.

State Approval Forms