Non-Behavioral Health Providers

The behavioral health benefits of State of Maryland residents who have Maryland Medicaid, and those who meet the State’s “Uninsured” eligibility criteria, are managed by the State’s Administrative Services Organization, Optum Maryland. If you are considering a referral to behavioral health treatment for one of your patients, here are some helpful resources for you and your patient to consider. 

Behavioral Health Screening Tools:

• Mental Health and Substance Use Screening Tools
• The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-AR)

National Resources for Medical Health Care Professionals:

There are common issues and concerns that arise in Primary Care, and other medical practice settings, when treating consumers with a mental health or substance related disorder.  You can find assistance from one or both of the following national resources.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

• Suicide Prevention Tools for Primary Care
• Implementing Integrated Care in Medical Homes
• Strategies to Promote Individual Change in Primary Healthcare Settings
• Engaging People in Discussions about Health-related Changes
• Understanding the Disease of Addiction and the Recovery Process in Health Care Settings
• Addressing Obesity and Chronic Illness among People with Mental Illnesses
• Brief Behavioral Health Interventions in Primary Care

The National Institute of Health (NIH):

• Children and Adolescent Issues
• Older Adult Issues
• Men’s Issues
• Women’s Issues
• Suicide Prevention
• Anxiety Disorders
• Attention Deficit Disorders
• Bipolar Disorders
• Depressive Disorders
• Eating Disorders
• Obsessive/Compulsive Disorders
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Schizophrenic Disorders
• Other Behavioral Health Disorders

PCP and other Health Care Professional Hotline:

To enhance and expedite the coordination of care efforts of all involved, Optum Maryland offers a HealthCare Professional help line. Dial the main number for Optum Maryland (800-888-1965). When indicated, the licensed behavioral health professional who handles your call can access Board Certified Psychiatrists who specialize in Adult, Addictions and/or Child and Adolescent services. The Health Care Professional Hotline is available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., excluding major holidays. 

Coordination of Care for Consumers with Substance Use Disorders

Part 2 of the Federal 42 CFR law prohibits the sharing of substance use disorders and/or the treatment of SUD issues without a release of information, signed by the consumer. If you are going to need to give/receive information that pertains to the diagnosis or treatment of a substance related disorder with/from Optum Maryland, you will need to have the consumer read and sign the following release of information:

• ROI for Sharing Data with MCOs
  

To access specialty behavioral health services through the Public Behavioral Health System, you can:

• Call Optum Maryland at 1-800-888-1965
• Contact your local Core Service Agency, using their directory