Description
A Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) is a community-based organization that provides outpatient mental health services and is certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In order to meet the requirements for the CMHC designation, an organization must provide partial hospitalization services and serve at least five non-Medicare clients in any of the following categories: a) children; b) elderly; c) chronically mentally ill; and d) residents of its service area who have been discharged from inpatient treatment at a mental health facility.
OHCQ oversight of this provider type is limited to CMS certification activities. OHCQ conducts initial certifications, periodic re-certifications, and complaint investigations of CMHCs on behalf of the CMS. OHCQ does not license CMHCs; however, certain service lines (intensive outpatient program and partial hospitalization program) within CMHCs may require a state license from the
Behavioral Health Administration.
Certification
Providers of intensive outpatient programs and partial day hospitalization programs that meet the above criteria must apply to CMS to become a Community Mental Health Center. The provider shall complete a CMS 855 and return it to Novitas for review and approval. Once forwarded to and approved by CMS, CMS will authorize an initial certification survey by the Office of Health Care Quality.
A certified provider is subject to periodic surveys and complaint investigations for compliance with the Conditions of Participation for Community Mental Health Centers - 42 CFR 485.904 through 42 CFR 485.918.
