Ohio Medicaid transitions behavioral health into managed care

Ohio Medicaid, this week transitioned behavioral health services into its managed care program (Source: “Mental health care billing changes take effect,” Findlay Courier, July 2, 2018).

Mental health and addiction treatment is the last piece of Medicaid being shifted to managed care, which means mental health care providers will no longer bill the state Department of Medicaid to be reimbursed for treating patients. Instead, they’ll bill one of the state’s private managed care companies.

For the first year of the transition — until June 30, 2019 — managed care companies must honor existing rates and maintain services. If Medicaid currently pays for a service, the managed care company will have to do the same. Starting July 1, 2019, managed care companies can negotiate rates and benefits.