Change in utilization management vendor for Medicaid inpatient psychiatric services and prior authorization of community Medicaid services

As of Monday, July 1, 2013, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) will contract with Permedion for the administration of the utilization management program for certain Medicaid behavioral health services. Permedion is an experienced utilization management vendor who will be providing the inpatient psychiatric services management and prior authorization (PA) of community Medicaid services from their Westerville, Ohio, office. PA is currently only applicable to the mental health Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment (CPST) service.

Permedion will launch an Ohio-specific website by close of business on Friday, June 21, 2013. The toll-free number to contact Permedion on or after July 1 is 1-855-974-5393 and the toll-free fax number is 1-855-974-5394.

Permedion will be contacting inpatient and community providers through e-mail and will begin training activities the week of June 24. Initial training opportunities will be two webinars, one focused on inpatient psychiatric services procedures and another focused on the procedures for prior authorization of CPST.

Beth Ferguson with the Office of Health Integration is the Department's contract administrator. She can be contacted at 614-466-9971 or Beth.Ferguson@mh.ohio.gov.

There are more than two million individuals with mental illness in U.S. jails and prisons at any given time. This May 2013 issue of Behavioral Health in Ohio: Current Research Trends focuses on supports for individuals with serious mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice (CJ) system. The eJournal highlights the research and evaluation behind a number of initiatives funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health that are intended to reduce CJ involvement, enhance recovery and increase success in the community.

Individuals who are taking psychiatric medication can be at an increased risk for heat-related illness during the warmer months. Read our updated brochure to learn the warning signs of heat-related illness, how to help prevent it and a list of medications that decrease the body's response to heat.

The Ohio Department of Mental Health has released an 11-minute video on YouTube that features various Ohioans discussing their own mental illnesses and their journeys to recovery. The common theme among their stories is the importance of support from others. The video was filmed, edited and compiled by interns from Kent State University with the help of ODMH staff and other advocacy organizations.

Pursuit of Acceptance is at: http://youtu.be/uk47Em3-JA4

Following a traumatic event, it is important to remember that resources are available to help you cope. Please visit our Trauma-Informed Care Page to view fact sheets that can help you in the aftermath of a tragedy.

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) announced on April 1, 2013 a new plan to purchase pharmaceuticals for state entities, saving taxpayers an estimated $4.4 million in the first year and $16.7 million over the life of the contract.

Learn more by reading this press release..

Three researchers at the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) are among the authors of "Analysis of Causes of Death for All Decedents in Ohio With and Without Mental Illness, 2004-2007." The article published in the March 2013 (Volume 64, no. 3) issue of Psychiatric Services. ODMH Office of Research and Evaluation Chief Kraig Knudsen, Ph.D., Helen Anne Sweeney and Kwok Tam co-authored the study with Marion Sherman, M.D., Jackson Musuuza, M.D., and Siran Koroukian, Ph.D. At the time the study was conducted, Sherman was the medical director at ODMH and Musuuza was with Case Western Reserve University, where Koroukian is affiliated.

To provide an intermediate-level instruction about the forensic mental health system in Ohio, ODMH, the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, the Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers and the Ohio Judicial Conference are sponsoring a series of six regional forensic trainings throughout the state beginning in April.

This round of trainings will focus on case examples and presentations by people who have been found by trial courts to be not guilty by reason of insanity. In addition, a presentation will be held about models of collaboration between the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities systems.

Application is being made for the following continuing education credits: Psychology, Social Work, Counselors, Nurses and Continuing Legal Education.

Read this flyer to learn more or contact Bob Baker at Bob.Baker@mh.ohio.gov or (614) 644-6996.