Article archive / April 1, 2014
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 8. Source pages: 7.
Act 308 of the 2013 legislative session repealed parts of the existing laws governing standards for mental health clinics and substance abuse/addiction treatment facilities. In compliance with the directives of Act 308, the Department of Health and Hospitals proposes to adopt provisions to establish licensing standards for these facilities and also behavioral health service providers. The Notice of Intent puts forth 42 pages of new Rules, published last month in the Louisiana Register.
Some of those exempt from the licensure requirements for BHS providers include: n individual licensed mental health professional (LMHP), whether incorporated or unincorporated, or a group practice of LMHPs, providing services under the auspices of and pursuant to the scope of the individual’s license or group’s licenses. Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP)⎯an individual who is currently licensed and in good standing in the state of Louisiana to practice within the scope of all applicable state laws, practice acts and the individual’s professional license, as one of the following: 1. medical psychologist; 2.licensed psychologist; 3.licensed clinical social worker (LCSW); 4. licensed professional counselor (LPC);5. licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT); 6.licensed addiction counselor (LAC); 7.advance practice registered nurse (APRN); or 8. licensed rehabilitation counselor (LRC).
A public hearing on the proposed Rules is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. in the Bienville Building, 628 North Fourth Street, Baton Rouge. At that time all interested persons will be afforded an opportunity to submit data, views or arguments either orally or in writing.
Individuals may submit written comments to Cecile Castello, Bureau of Health Services Financing, P.O. Box 3767, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9030 or by email to MedicaidPolicy@la.gov. Ms. Castello is responsible for responding to inquiries regarding this proposed Rule.
The deadline for receipt of all written comments is 4:30 p.m. on the next business day following the public hearing.
The introduction to the Rules explains that Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) hereby establishes licensing standards for behavioral health service (BHS) providers. The purpose of these Chapters is to provide for the development, establishment and enforcement of statewide licensing standards for the care of clients receiving services from BHS providers, to ensure the maintenance of these standards, and to regulate conditions of these providers through a program of licensure that shall promote safe and adequate treatment of clients of BHS providers.
Providers tp be licensed under the BHS provider license include: substance abuse/addiction treatment facilities; mental health clinics; and any other entity that meets the definition of a BHS provider.
The Notice says, “Behavioral Health Service (BHS) Provider or Provider⎯a facility, agency, institution, person, society, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, group, or other legal entity that provides behavioral health services, presents itself to the public as a provider of behavioral health services.”
Also exempt are hospitals licensed under R.S. 40:2100 et seq.; crisis receiving centers licensed under 40:2180.11 et seq.; psychiatric residential treatment facilities and therapeutic group homes licensed under R.S. 40:2009; facilities or services operated by the federal government; and federally qualified health care centers (FQHCs) certified by the federal government, among others.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.