The Maryland Department of Health has extended its pause on new Medicaid provider enrollments for certain mental health and addiction treatment facilities until July, The Baltimore Sun reported Dec. 31.
The pause, which was first instituted in July 2023, affects four types of providers: psychiatric rehabilitation programs, psychiatric rehabilitation health homes, level 2.5 partial hospital programs and level 2.1 intensive outpatient treatment programs.
The department explained that the pause is necessary to allow time for a comprehensive evaluation of the provider landscape, including assessing the potential for fraud, waste and abuse. The move follows concerns raised after the state's 2016 transition to an accreditation-only model for licensing substance use disorder and mental health providers.
While new enrollments for certain facilities are paused, the department emphasized that access to services from licensed social workers, counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists and providers in regulated hospitals or federally qualified health centers will not be affected.
Additionally, the pause will not impact renewals for existing providers, programs receiving state or country funding, relocating providers, or those undergoing mergers or extensions for their accreditation.