Ohio providers look to delay rollout of new mental health and addiction coding, billing

The Behavior Health Redesign — a plan by the Ohio Department of Medicaid to modify how mental healthcare is coded and billed in the state — is set to begin July 1, but state mental health providers are calling on legislators to delay implementation because their IT systems are not ready, according to WCMH-TV.

 

Implementation of the plan has already been delayed six months. Providers say that their IT and software systems are still not ready to intake patients using the new system and, as a result, patients will have to wait for services as billing systems are updated.

The redesign of billing and coding for behavioral health services is expected to expand access to treatment for people with mental illness and drug addiction.

State officials have spent three years designing the plan and argue that it has systems in place to handle any difficulties that may arise. However, the Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers, which represents over 150 providers in Ohio, says that only a small number of providers will be able to service patients using the new system.

The state House of Representatives has voted for another six-monthdelay, though the delay still needs state Senate approval.

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