Outside Outpatient Services while Members are in Behavioral Health Residential

Applicable To: Mercy Care Complete Care, Mercy Care DD, Mercy Care DCS CHP, Mercy Care Long Term Care and Mercy Care ACC-RBHA

Mercy Care would like to send a reminder that counseling groups and outpatient clinics cannot provide counseling or outpatient treatment services while members are in Behavioral Health Residential Facilities (BHRF). Prior approval is required for specialized services that the BHRF cannot provide.

For further review, please reference AHCCCS Medical Policy Manual, Policy 320-V Behavioral Health Residential Facilities, which notes what services the BHRF should be providing and should not be separately provided by outpatient providers unless there is an approved specialized need.

Please don't hesitate to contact your Mercy Care Network Management Representative with any questions or comments. You can find this Notice and all other provider notices on our Mercy Care website.

Thanks for all you do!