Health Home Plus (HH+) for AOT

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      • To: Health Homes Serving Adults and Care Management Agencies

      From: The Department of Health and The Office of Mental Health

      Date: 03/03/21

      RE: Requests for Specialty Mental Health Care Management Agency (SMH CMA) Designation

      Background
      In February 2021, New York State Office of Mental Health identified and issued Specialty Mental Health (SMH) Care Management Agencies (CMAs) designation to all Health Home CMAs serving adults meeting defined Health Home Plus (HH+) performance criteria, and provisional designation to CMAs providing HH+ services but not meeting the performance threshold required for designation. Effective March 8, 2021, only designated and provisionally designated Specialty Mental Health CMAs will be allowed to accept new referrals for individuals meeting HH+ Serious Mental Illness (SMI) eligibility criteria.

      SMH CMA Designation Process Update for Non-Designated CMAs
      CMAs who were not issued designation or provisional designation for Specialty MH CM by the State but are interested in becoming a Specialty MH CMA, will have the opportunity to apply to the State for Specialty MH CMA designation, as defined below.

      Process
      1. The non-designated CMA reaches out to their lead Health Home(s) to obtain agreement to serve as a Specialty MH CMA in their network.
      2. Lead Health Home submits request to NYS OMH on behalf of the CMA.
        HH emails NYS OMH - via Specialty MH Mailbox - requesting Specialty MH CMA designation for a network CMA. Request must include:
        1. Reason for requesting Specialty designation for the CMA, specifically addressing CMA's limited history providing HH+ SMI
      3. OMH reviews request and most recent CMA performance data.
        The State will use the same data sources used to identify provisionally designated CMAs:
        • Average number of HH+ eligible members identified in MAPP;
        • Percent of identified HH+ eligible members who received HH+ (as reported in MAPP);
        • Serving Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) individuals;
        The State will review the most recent average of 6 months of performance data on file.

        If the CMA meets any of the criteria for provisional designation above, the CMA will be provisionally designated.

        If there is no performance data supporting provisional designation:
        • The CMA must have all HH+ program requirements as outlined in guidance in place so that they are able to receive new HH+ referrals and serve individuals at the HH+ level of support.
        • Any contracted Lead HH(s) must submit the HH+ SMI Attestation with the CMA listed, attesting that the CMA meets all program requirements as outlined in the HH+ guidance, and is able to receive HH+ referrals and provide the HH+ level of support effective immediately.

          Preferably all contracted HHs will attest, however, at least one HH must attest to become provisionally designated.
        The CMA would then be eligible for provisional designation.
      4. OMH issues Provisional Designation letter, which will include the CMAs current performance, where applicable.
        1. CMA can begin accepting HH+ referrals effective date of letter.
        2. OMH will include ALL contracted lead HHs on a CMA's Provisional Designation letter.
        3. The Provisional Designation Letter will include a requirement that the CMA complete an Action Plan for achieving performance threshold for designation.
        4. CMA participates in the Specialty MH CMA Designation Collaborative (generally 6 months).
      5. Ongoing Data Refresh to Support Final Designation for Specialty Care Management OMH reviews refreshed performance data monthly. Once data reflects Specialty MH CMA Designation criteria is met the State will issue a Specialty Designation letter.
      6. CMA submits Specialty Mental Health Care Management Agency Attestation to OMH, attached.