Ch. 471 1999 LAWS OF MARYLAND

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,  

Article - Health - General

Section 19-712.1

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

15-103.

(b) (21) (i) The Department shall establish a delivery system for specialty
mental health services for enrollees of managed care organizations.

(ii) The Mental Hygiene Administration shall:

1. Design and monitor the delivery system;

2. Establish performance standards for providers in the

delivery system; and

 3. Establish procedures to ensure appropriate and timely

referrals from managed care organizations to the delivery system that include:

A. Specification of the diagnoses and conditions eligible for
referral to the delivery system;

B. Training and clinical guidance in appropriate use of the
delivery system for managed care organization primary care providers;

C. Preauthorization by the utilization review agent of the
delivery system; and

 D. Penalties for a pattern of improper referrals.

(iii) The Department shall collaborate with managed care
organizations to develop standards and guidelines for the provision of specialty
mental health services.

(iv) The delivery system shall:

1. Provide all specialty mental health services needed by
enrollees;

2. For enrollees who are dually diagnosed, coordinate the
provision of substance abuse services provided by the managed care organizations of
the enrollees; 

3. Consist of a network of qualified mental [health
professionals from all core disciplines;

4. Include linkages with other public service systems; and