WI – Funding Increase for Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment

November 2017 ~

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has announced its plan to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates for outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services in 2018.

$7 million of the $17 million investment to increase rates comes from state funding. According to DHS, the rate change will increase the maximum allowable fee for each covered outpatient services and simplify the rate structure so there are two fees per service rather than five.

This follows DHS announcement, earlier this year, that it would no longer require prior approval for some outpatient mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment.

The state hopes the increase in reimbursement rates will allow more mental health professionals and substance abuse counselors the ability to work with low-income residents, offer more therapy appointments, psychiatric evaluations, and substance abuse treatment for children and adults without private insurance.

“This is a big win for patients and their families, as it will improve access to treatment, which is key to building a healthy, rewarding life,” DHS Secretary Linda Seemeyer said in a statement.

Source(s): Journal Sentinel; State of Wisconsin Office of the Governor; The Wheeler Report;Wisconsin Psychiatric Association;