Mental Health Committees

Children’s Policy Committee
This committee identifies overarching policy issues associated with child and adolescent mental health and addiction services and prioritizes those issues for discussion with the administration, the legislature and other groups.
Meets on an ad hoc basis.

The Children's Services Committee
This Children's Services Committee focuses on policies and issues related to the provision of mental health and addiction treatment and care to children and adolescents. The committee addresses funding concerns, legislation and regulation, managed care, best and emerging practices and other concerns relating to the children’s behavioral healthcare system.
Meets every other month.

Emergency Services Program (ESP) Committee
This committee supports the policy, rating and other operational aspects of ESPs purchased by MBHP through which MassHealth and Department of Mental Health funding is blended. Because ESPs generate considerable federal revenue that is retained at DMH for community services and the general fund, ABH works closely with MBHP, MassHealth and DMH to assure that accountability is clearly understood and services are cost efficient.
Meets on an ad hoc basis.

In-Home Therapy Committee
This committee meets for information-sharing and support among providers who deliver FST services for the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, MCOs and other payers. Topics include models, staffing, referrals, outcome measurement, reporting and payer relationships.
Meets every other month.

Community Based Flexible Supports Committee (CBFS)
This committee focuses on policies and issues related to DMH-contracted services. The committee addresses issues related to re-procurement, funding concerns, housing, licensing and other regulations, Medication Administration Program, Rehab Option, staffing and quality/operational oversight.
Meets monthly.

PACT Providers Committee
The PACT Providers Committee discusses issues of common concern related to DMH and MBHP policies and oversight. Issues include staffing, referral sources and appropriateness, use of DMH consultation time and issues of maintaining fidelity to the model and others.
Meets on an ad hoc basis.

Psychiatric Day Treatment/Partial Hospitalization Committee
The Psychiatric Day Treatment providers focus on issues related to the purchase of PDT services including review of program regulations, guidelines, standards and outcome measures; and data collection related to the acuity of clients served and treatment outcomes. The Partial Hospitalization providers discuss the services regulated by CMS for Medicare Part A. These providers discuss CMS billing issues and audits/chart reviews. The Committee actively participated in the development of recommendations for the CMS procurement of the Medicare Administration Contractor (MAC) for Jurisdiction 14, and the development of recommendations for the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Partial Hospitalization services.
Meets every other month.