May 2020

CT BHP Provider eNewsletter

We're Here for You Dear Providers, First, we would like to thank you for your commitment and dedication in providing behavioral health services to HUSKY members.  We truly appreciate your ability to adjust and adapt your practice, in recent weeks, to meet the needs of our members. In times like these, we remain focused on the well-being of the communities we serve. As part of our commitment to your health and well-being, we are carefully monitoring the COVID-19 situation with regular updates and guidance from the CT Department of Public Health, our state agency partners and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  The Spring Provider Newsletter is dedicated to updates, reminders and resources that we hope will be of interest to you and your staff(s).

Our utmost priority is to promote and maintain business continuity so that we can meet your needs, keep you informed during these uncertain times and provide the support you require. Thank you for your partnership and we sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be of service in these unprecedented times. We will keep you updated as all of us navigate this situation together, and please join us in keeping those who are affected by this challenging situation in our thoughts and prayers.

Colleen Harrington Director, Managed Services Division CT Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services Lori Szczygiel President, CT Market Beacon Health Options

Stephney Springer DCF Director of CT BHP CT Dept. of Children and Families Roderick Winstead Manager, Integrated Care Unit CT Dept. of Social Services

Telehealth 101 As an interim measure in response to the Governor’s declaration of a public health emergency as the result of the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Department of Social Services (DSS) has temporarily expanded portions of telemedicine coverage effective for dates of service from March 13, 2020 until the Department has notified providers in writing that the state has deemed COVID-19 no longer to be a public health emergency. A listing of all Policy Transmittals regarding Telemedicine coverage, can be accessed in the COVID-19 Information and FAQs document on the homepage of www.ctdssmap.com and on the Provider Bulletins page of the CT BHP website. So now what? As a provider, the transition to telehealth can be an unsettling option for both you and the members you serve; it can impact your practice as well as the mental health of your clients. Read More! Prior Authorization Changes – Interim Measures The Department of Social Services released Provider Bulletin 2020-23 on April 13, 2020.  As an interim measure in response to the Governor’s declaration of a public health emergency as the result of the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Department of Social Services (DSS) is temporarily changing the prior authorization (PA) requirements for specified services effective for dates of service April 1, 2020. During the Temporary Effective Period, the following services will not require Prior Authorization: Read More

COVID-19 Provider Resources The CT BHP understands that the current pandemic has affected every one of us on so many levels.  With ever-evolving news coverage, updates, notifications, and changes in policy and procedures…there is a fine line between being “in the know” and experiencing “information overload” .  Read More! That Discomfort You're Feeling is Grief Written by Scott Berinato, published in Harvard Business Review on March 23, 2020. We gratefully acknowledge their permission to republish. Some of the HBR edit staff met virtually the other day — a screen full of faces in a scene becoming more common everywhere. We talked about the content we’re commissioning in this harrowing time of a pandemic and how we can help people. But we also talked about how we were feeling. One colleague mentioned that what she felt was grief. Heads nodded in all the panes. If we can name it, perhaps we can manage it. We turned to David Kessler for ideas on how to do that. Kessler is the world’s foremost expert on grief. Read More Quick Links Provider Bulletins - Alert Find a Provider MAT Resources Welcome New Providers

NAMIWalks and More, Go Virtual! The NAMI Connecticut Walk “Stepping Towards Hope & Wellness” is an annual nationwide mental health awareness program to fund the National Alliance on Mental Illness” education, support and advocacy programs. Every year, there are nearly 80 NAMIWalks held nationwide in order to improve aware-ness of mental illness and the severity of issues associated with it, assist with educating the community and raise money to continue to support NAMI affiliates and community members in need. NAMI is proud to be the largest and most successful mental health awareness and fundraising event in America! Through NAMIWalks' public, active display of support for people affected by mental illness, they are changing how Americans view persons with a mental illness.   This year the NAMI CT chapter is excited to announce its first ever virtual walk May 15-17 where you can “Walk Where You Are to Support our Life Changing Work.” To find out more information in regards to the virtual walk and the virtual support groups please visit Click here for more information.

CT BH(el)P! Desk The CT BHP Provider Relations Department hosts a weekly, interactive webinar every Wednesday from 10:00 am - 10:45 am which provides tutorials and answers inquiries from the CMAP provider network.  Each webinar provides a quick, 30 minute overview of the ProviderConnect application for new providers, new staff members or any user that may need a brush up on the authorization portal. The remainder of the webinar is open to provider inquiries or requests for assistance with CT BHP policies and procedures.  Click Here for More Information and to Register for an Upcoming Session !

Contact Us  Ideas and suggestions for future editions? Email:  [email protected] Questions or need a hard copy? Call CT BHP Provider Relations: 877-552-8247