Montgomery County is among 10 Maryland jurisdictions where the state is extending a temporary pause on new Medicaid enrollments for certain behavioral health providers as officials continue efforts to combat potential fraud, waste and abuse.
The Maryland Department of Health announced that the six-month extension, which takes effect July 1, will continue to prevent new provider enrollments in four types of community-based behavioral health programs: Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs (PRP), Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program Health Homes, Partial Hospital Programs (PHP), and Intensive Outpatient Treatment Programs (IOP). Existing providers will continue operating, and the state will continue processing provider revalidations, relocations, mergers and acquisitions.
State officials said the moratorium is intended to strengthen oversight and ensure the quality of behavioral health services following rapid growth in these programs in recent years. In addition to Montgomery County, the temporary suspension applies to Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Prince George’s and Washington counties, as well as Baltimore City.
