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June 28, 2024

Media Contact:
Chase Cook, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-8649

Maryland Department of Health Issues Six-Month Pause on New Enrollments of Select Provider Types to Address Potential Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

Baltimore, MD – Effective July 1, 2024, the Maryland Department of Health is imposing a six-month pause on new enrollments into the Maryland Medicaid Program of the following behavioral health program types, which are licensed under Maryland Code of Maryland Regulations 10.63 and 10.09:

1. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs 
   
2. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs, Health Home
3. Level 2.5 Partial Hospital Programs, and
4. Level 2.1 Intensive Outpatient Treatment Programs 

The temporary pause has been approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, after reviewing information submitted by the Department. 

This pause in accepting new applications for these provider types, effective July 1, 2024, is in response to the rapid growth of these provider types since moving to an accreditation-only model for provider licensing. 

“Access to quality behavioral health services for Marylanders is my top priority,” said Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health Alyssa Lord. “This pause in new provider applications will allow the Department to assess and evaluate the provider landscape, the quality of care rendered, compliance with state and federal regulations, and identify, and mitigate potential fraud, waste, and abuse.”

The pause in licensure will not impact access to behavioral health services provided by individual practitioners, behavioral health services provider clinics operated in regulated hospital spaces, and behavioral health service providers at Federally Qualified Health Centers. Further, the Department will maintain the licensure and enrollment process for existing providers experiencing: license renewals; licenses required for programs identified and funded by state or county grant funding; relocations; mergers and acquisitions; and, extensions required due to accreditation delays. License applications that were filed before July 1, 2024 will not be impacted.