Who Is Eligible For Public Mental Health Services In Maryland
Because private organizations operate the states community mental health centers, Maryland does not have strict statewide eligibility requirements for admission to publicly-funded mental health programs. Instead, the state uses eligibility criteria to determine whether people receive public financial assistance and leaves clinical eligibility up to each individual provider.
The upside of this arrangement is that community mental health agencies and outpatient clinics in Maryland are accessible to a wide range of consumers, including people with moderate mental health conditions. The downside is that there are fewer ways to receive funding assistance for mental health services in Maryland than in other states. The only way to qualify for public funding in Maryland is to either qualify for Medicaid or for what the state calls Uninsured Eligibility, which is also sometimes called the gray area. To qualify for Uninsured Eligibility, a person must:
- Be a United States citizen and a Maryland state resident
- Require treatment for a covered behavioral health diagnosis
- Have an income of 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level or less
- Not already be covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or any other insurance
- Have already applied for Medicaid, the Health Care Exchange, or other state benefits
Some exceptions are made to these requirements for people in the following categories:
Pcp And Other Health Care Professional Hotline:
To enhance and expedite the coordination of care efforts of all involved, Optum Maryland offers a HealthCare Professional help line. Dial the main number for Optum Maryland . When indicated, the licensed behavioral health professional who handles your call can access Board Certified Psychiatrists who specialize in Adult, Addictions and/or Child and Adolescent services. The Health Care Professional Hotline is available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., excluding major holidays.
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Federally qualified health centers are another option for public mental health care in Maryland. These federally-funded programs provide medical and mental health services to people in underserved communities. Their goal is to deliver high-quality coordinated care to people with complex needs and to link behavioral healthcare with primary medical care. Each FQHC accepts Medicaid and Medicare and offers sliding scale fees to people without insurance. You can search for FQHCs using the online search tool on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
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When Should You Go To A State Mental Health Program
Few mental health providers outside of those in the public sector are able to immediately serve people in crisis. This usually makes public mental health services the best option for anyone who is having a mental health crisis and needs help right away. The people who answer crisis lines can offer caring attention and support as they help people determine the best response to a crisis, whether its inpatient treatment or an appointment with a counselor.
In most cases, community mental health programs serve as alternative providers for people who lack the means to access services in the private sector. Marylands system of publicly-funded non-profit providers does not have restrictive eligibility criteria for access to services, but it does have restrictive criteria for access to financial assistance. To find out how sliding-scale fees at your local community mental health center or outpatient clinic compare to sliding-scale fees for private providers, you can call one of the providers that serves your county.
Are Video Visits With A Therapist / Counselor Online Covered By Maryland Medical Assistance
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Therapists/Counselors who accept Maryland Medical Assistance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
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How Can I Start Therapy In Maryland
Start your search for a great therapist in Maryland on Zencare. First, consider any logistic limitations, like how far you are willing to travel outside of Maryland or if you are open to online sessions with a local provider. Also consider how much your therapy budget is, and when you are available for therapy. Then, make a list of priorities for your ideal therapist: do they match your identity, or have expertise in a specific area like anxiety or depression? There is no one reason to start therapy many individuals in Marylandgo see a therapist when they need help to move forward through a difficult time, cope with symptoms of a mental illness such as a mood disorder, navigate life transitions, process relationship difficulties or improve their behavioral health. Use your priorities to filter on Zencare by insurance, speciality, and availability. Look through a few provider profiles to find the therapist you might click with, watch their introductory videos, and book a free call to find a great personal fit!
How Can I Make An Appointment With A Therapist In Maryland
Start your search for an appointment with a therapist in Maryland on Zencare. Many mental health professionals located in Maryland require clients to have an introductory call before booking a full appointment online. In this free call, the prospective therapist will ask about your goals for treatment, and make sure that their skills, specialized training, and scope of private practice are a match for your mental health issues. At the same time, you should assess if you feel comfortable talking with the therapist, as studies show that the most important determinant of successful therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. After an initial call, youll typically be given the option to book an appointment with the therapist, or continue your search if its not a good fit. At the initial session, youll likely discuss the therapeutic process and determine goals for your personal growth. Common therapy goals include learning effective coping strategies to deal with negative feelings, increasing self-awareness, and gaining a deeper understanding and insight into relationship patterns.
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Does Insurance Cover Therapy In Maryland
Yes, most Maryland health insurance carriers provide mental health benefits that cover therapy. However, the exact amount of coverage will vary based on the plan details and whether the selected provider is in-network or out-of-network with your insurance. If the therapist is in-network with your insurance, youll pay only a copay at each session after meeting your annual deductible. If the therapist is out-of-network with your insurance, you may still be able to receive reimbursement after paying the fee at the time of therapy session. If you have a PPO or POS insurance plan, you can likely receive some reimbursement when you see a therapist out-of-network in Maryland. If you have an HMO, EPO, or Medicaid/Medicare plan, you likely cannot receive reimbursement, and would be responsible for the full out-of-network session fee. Note that services designed to treat topics which are not diagnosed mental health conditions, such as couples counseling and life coaching, are not typically covered by health insurance. The potential mental health provider must also be a licensed therapist in your state for the insurance company to cover services.
How Do I Find A Therapist In Maryland
Find a therapist near you in Maryland on Zencare. Narrow your search by using filters like insurance, therapy budget specialty, and provider identity. Mental health professionals on Zencare are vetted for their extensive experience treating individual adults, children and adolescents, as well as couples and families. Explore each potential therapistprofile to learn more about their specialties, and watch an introductory video to get a sense of their personality. Book a free initial call to find the right therapist for you!
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How Can I Find A Top
You can use Zocdoc to find Maryland Medical Assistance Therapists/Counselors who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, theyre invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdocs guidelines.
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How Do I Find A Therapist In Maryland Who Offers Online Sessions
Find a therapist who offers online sessions on Zencare. Most therapists inMaryland continue to offer appointments online you can filter by Online to find a provider who is accepting new clients for teletherapy sessions. In order to see a therapist, they must be licensed to provide online sessions to clients living in your state. Online therapy is different from text therapy, or asynchronous therapy online therapy offers the same consistent relationship with a local Maryland therapist that an in-person session would, with sessions taking place via phone or a video sessions through a secure teletherapy platform. Online therapy sessions are a convenient way to find a therapist near Maryland without leaving the comfort of your home or office.
How Can I Book An Appointment Online With A Maryland Medical Assistance Therapist / Counselor
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Maryland Medical Assistance Therapists/Counselors and book appointments instantly. You can search for Maryland Medical Assistance Therapists/Counselors by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your location. Based on that information, youll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
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Primary Mental Health Services For Mpc Members
MPC covers primary mental health services required by enrollees, including clinical evaluation and assessment, provision of primary mental health services, and/or referral for additional services, as appropriate.
The PCP of an enrollee requiring mental health services may elect to treat the enrollee if the treatment falls within the scope of the PCPs practice, training, and expertise. Neither the PCP nor Maryland Physicians Care may bill Marylands Public Mental Health System for the provision of such services because these services are included in the HealthChoice capitation rates.
If a PCP believes an enrollees need for mental health treatment cannot be adequately addressed by primary mental health services provided by the PCP, the PCP should, after determining the enrollees eligibility , refer the enrollee to the PMHS for specialty mental health services.
Call PMHS at for assistance or to answer questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Welcome To The Behavioral Health Provider Home Page
Login or register withIncedo Provider Portal, an online tool that allows you to submit and check claims status, check member eligibility, update your provider profile, request inpatient and outpatient authorizations and more. Incedo Provider Portal is easy to use, secure and available 24/7.
Our mission and values guide the way we treat our providers, members and each other. They are at the heart of all we do.
We welcome your continued commitment to the Maryland network and encourage new providers to join us in our mission to help people live their lives to the fullest potential.
Optum provides clinical staff coverage 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year to respond to all member and provider calls, including emergent, urgent and routine calls.
On this page you will find a wealth of information developed specifically for you, which includes our Incedo Provider Portal platform where you can enter authorization for services, claims and more. The Provider Manual is where you will find important information about the services offered in Maryland. The Provider Alerts are important updates from Optum and the Department. Below are a just a few of the important documents that will assist you as a behavioral health provider. More information and resources can be found throughout the website.
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How Can I Make A Same
On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a Therapist / Counselor who takes Maryland Medical Assistance insurance, book an appointment, and see the Therapist / Counselor within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Therapists/Counselors who accept Maryland Medical Assistance insurance and make an appointment online.
How Does Paying For Therapy Work In Maryland
There are several options for paying for therapy in Maryland. For many people, the most affordable way to seek mental health services is to look for a provider who is in-network with your insurance. Due to high demand and low availability, in-network providers often have long waitlists to widen your options and start therapy sooner, you might also consider looking for an out-of-network provider. When you see an out-of-network therapist inMaryland, you can ask for a sliding scale if you are unable to afford their typical session fees, or seek reimbursement from your insurance company if you have a PPO or POS plan. For clients who have an insurance plan with a high deductible and low medical costs, therapy costs are often comparable when you see a therapist in- or out-of-network. While paying for therapy can be a substantial investment, its also a great way to improve relationships, boost self-esteem, address symptoms of mental illness, and ultimately live a happier, more self-directed life.
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Parity Rule For Medicaid And Chip
In 2016, CMS finalized regulations to strengthen access to mental health and substance use services for people with Medicaid or Childrens Health Insurance Program coverage, aligning with protections already required of private health plans under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. The final rule maintains state flexibility regarding managed care while guaranteeing that Medicaid enrollees can access MHSU services in the same manner as medical benefits. Plans must disclose information on MHSU disorder benefits upon request, including the criteria for determinations of medical necessity. The final rule also requires the state to disclose the reason for any denial of reimbursement or payment for services with respect to MHSU disorder benefits. For more information, review the 1425-page final rule or go to the Medicaid Behavioral Health Services webpage.
How Can You Find Out More About Local Programs In Maryland
There are a few different ways you can learn about Marylands public mental health programs. You can call the information line for Beacon, Marylands administrative service organization, at 888-1965, call the Behavioral Health Administration at 402-8300, or call the statewide crisis line at 211 or 422-0009. You can also call one of the community mental health programs assigned to your county to directly inquire about their services. Most counties also have a dedicated local crisis line.
To find out which programs serve your area, you can use one of the directories or search tools on the Beacon or BHA websites. The BHA has a few different directories listed on its site, including the national SAMHSA certified treatment locator, which lists licensed treatment programs within a certain radius of a chosen city or county. Beacon has a Find a Provider search tool on its site.
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How Do I Find An Affordable Therapist In Maryland
Many therapists offer a sliding scale, or a range of session fees based on financial need to clients who would not otherwise be able to afford typical therapy rates in Maryland. If you are struggling to pay for therapy, consider asking for a sliding scale, looking for an in-network therapist, or seeking services through a local agency, college counseling center, or hospital.
What Kinds Of Mental Health Providers Are Available In Maryland
There are many different kinds of mental health providers available in Maryland, including psychologists, clinical social workers, and mental health counselors. As long as the provider is licensed in your state, the factor that matters most to therapy outcomes is the therapeutic alliance, or the relationship you build with your therapist. Common types of therapy provided in Maryland include cognitive therapies, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy , and insight-oriented therapies like psychodynamic therapy. Other providers offer a blend of techniques for a more interpersonal, holistic approach. Some mental health therapists in Maryland also offer specialized treatment services, like couples therapy, premarital counseling, and family therapy. While most Maryland providers are qualified to treat general challenges, like depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, relationship difficulties, and low self-esteem, for concerns such as substance abuse, personality disorders, and eating disorders, consider seeking expert care. Together with your therapist, youll build a treatment plan that addresses your reasons for seeking therapy and monitor progress toward your wellness goals and overall well being.
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