The Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland (CBH) advocates for policy and legislative changes designed to achieve a robust, high quality, clinically integrated behavioral health system for  families and individuals in Maryland.

CBH has modified its public policy work to address a virtual session, the COVID public health emergency, and the continuing dysfunction of the ASO vendor. Below you'll find resources about CBH's work on Maryland's legislative session, followed by our other public policy resources on Optum and COVID.

CBH Policy Resources

• CBH Comments on Confidentiality of SUD Patient Records Proposed Rule (January 2022) 
• CBH Comments on Proposed Telehealth Regulations (December 16, 2022)
• National Council CCBHC Powerpoint (November 2022)
• Behavioral Health Coalition, "Letter to DBM Secretary" (Oct. 11, 2022)
• Media Coverage: "Mental Health Treatment Doesn't Have To Be a Mess" (Oct. 11, 2022)
• CBH, Comments on 2023 Physician Fee Schedule (Sept 6, 2022)
• CBH, Comments on MIA Network Adequacy Proposed Regulations (July 26, 2022)
• Maryland Insurance Administration, "Market Conduct Examination Report of United Behavioral Health" (June 7, 2022)
• Recoupment Communications:
  • CBH Letter to MDH on Appeal Process (May 26, 2022); MDH Response (July 6, 2022)
  • CBH Letter to MDH: Recoupment Process (May 2, 2022); MDH Initial Response (May 23, 2022); MDH Supplemental Response (dated June 3, received July 8, 2022)
  • CBH Letter to MDH: Accountability & Transparency for Corrections and Identifying Missing Claims (Mar 31, 2022)
  • CBH Letter to MDH: Concerns re Recoupment Notice & Balance Composition (Jan 7, 2022)
  • Letter to MDH: Claims History Pilot Report Concerns (Dec. 28, 2021); MDH Response (Jan. 11, 2022) 
  • CBH Letter to MDH: Request for Recoupment Delay and Claims History Detail (November 29, 2021) 
• Media Coverage: "Process to Recoup Funds Is Unfair" (MarylandMatters.org, June 6, 2022)
• Letter to MDH: Amending Future ASO RFPs (May 16, 2022)
• Media Coverage: Baltimore Sun (Apr 14, 2022); MarylandReporter (Mar 17, 2022); MDH Response (Mar 17, 2022)
• ?Letter to BHA on Rehab Specialist Staffing (Oct 28, 2021)
• ASO: MDH's Quarterly Performance Report (Oct 1, 2021); CBH Quarterly Optum Performance Scorecard (Oct 1, 2021); Behavioral Health Coalition letter (Sept. 28, 2021)
• CBH: Child Utilization Since the Pandemic | Troubling Questions Raised (Sept 23, 2021)
• CBH: Addressing Maryland's Behavioral Health Crisis (Sept. 10, 2021)
• CRS: Provider Relief Fund FAQs (Sept. 7, 2021)
• Provider Survey: Optum Authorization Experiences (August 27, 2021)
• Letter to BHA: PBHS Coverage of Medicare-Insured Patients (August 5, 2021)
• Joint Association Letter: Response to ASO Functionality Report (July 15, 2021)
• Press Release: Two More CCBHC Clinics in Maryland (July 8, 2021)
• MDH: ASO System Performance Report (July 1, 2021)
• Federal Operating Rules Complaint: MATOD & CBH Joint Complaint on Optum (April 19, 2021);  Joint Association Letter on Optum (June 18, 2021); MDH Response (July 2, 2021)
• Performance-based Reconciliation Timeline (June 15, 2021)
• ASO: Needed System Performance & Functions (May 12, 2021)
• Comments: Reimbursement Rates as NQTL | Comments: Parity Coalition (May 11, 2021)
• CCBHCs in Maryland (April 9, 2021)
• Letter to BHA on PRP-M Service Combo Exclusions (March 16, 2021)
• MHAMD Children's BH Coalition Letter to BHA on PRP-M/TCM Exclusions (March 16, 2021)
• Prompt Payment Complaint: MIA Response | Optum Response (Jan. 13, 2021)
• Behavioral Health and Vaccine Prioritization (Jan. 5, 2021)
• CBH Request to Extend Authorizations (Dec. 11, 2020)
• Senate Briefing (Nov. 19, 2020): Hearing Link
• House Briefing (Nov 17, 2020): MDH Presentation, MDH Report, CBH Presentation, Hearing Link
• Letter to MDH and BHA on Reconciliation, Repayment (Nov. 2, 2020)
• Letter to Governor Hogan on ASO (Oct. 23, 2020)
• Letter to BHA on PRP Medical Necessity Criteria (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Letter to MDH: COVID Vaccine Priority Populations (Oct. 20, 2020)
• Press Release and Survey: Demand Increases While COVID Threatens Treatment Availability (Sept. 9, 2020), with the National Council for Behavioral Health
• Comments: Proposed Behavioral Health State Plan (August 14, 2020)
• Informal Comments: Proposed 10.63 Regulations (July 30, 2020)
• Telehealth Recommendations for Maryland Medicaid (July 14, 2020)
• ASO Performance: CBH Member Survey (July 13, 2020)
• Telehealth: Feedback from CBH Clients (July 13, 2020)
• PRP Medical Necessity for Minors (July 7, 2020)
• Reconciliation and Remittance Feedback  (June 19, 2020)
• CBH's Public Policy Briefing (June 4, 2020)
• COVID Impact Survey (June 1, 2020)
• Authorization Barriers  (May 20, 2020)
• ASO Minimum Necessary Functionality (May 12, 2020)
• Request for Retainer Payments (April 22, 2020)
• Proposed Remittance Advice Feedback (April 16, 2020)
• Recommendations on ASO Performance & Reconciliation (March 23, 2020) & MDH Response (June 15, 2020)
• Provider Survey: ASO Performance (February 28, 2020)
• Request for Estimated Payments (January 3, 2020)
• ASO Communications (December 13, 2019)

2023 Legislative Session Resources

The association's Public Policy Committee meets with members biweekly during Maryland's legislative session to offer updates on federal and state developments, gather information on members' needs, and shape CBH's public policy advocacy. 

• Transition Priorities: CCBHC Fact Sheet, Rates Fact Sheet, ASO Fact Sheet, Children's System Factsheet, VBP Fact Sheet
• 2023 Bill Tracker
• To sign up for CBH's action alerts or contact your legislator, please see our Take Action page.
• List of Key Acronyms 

Previous Legislative Sessions 

2021 Legislative Session: Final Report (Apr.  2021)

2020 Legislative Session: Final Report (Apr. 2020)

2019 Legislative Session: Final Report (Apr. 2019)

JCR Reports:

1. BHA Facility Staffing 
2. Behavioral Health Workforce and Capacity
3. Inpatient Psychiatric Bed Capacity
4. Fidelity Audit of Supportive Employment and ACT
5. Use of Voluntary Placement Agreements
6. Medicaid Program Business Process

2018 Legislative Session: Final Report (Apr. 12, 2018)