Behavioral Health Services

Mental Health 

Maryland Medicaid covers a variety of mental health services, including outpatient therapy, psychiatric rehabilitation, case management, crisis intervention, and substance use disorder treatment and recovery services.  

Maryland Medicaid does not cover marriage counseling, career counseling, coaching, massage therapy, or holistic treatments. 

Levels of Care

Printable Behavioral and Mental Health Services fact sheet for patients 

Combination of Service Rules: 

• Combination of SUD Services 6.1.2023 

Substance Use Disorder

About Substance Use Disorder 

Substance use disorder is a serious form of addiction that stems from misusing or being dependent on alcohol or drugs. These can include legal drugs, illegal drugs, or prescription medications. People with these disorders often face emotional problems and difficulties in work, school, family life, and relationships. If someone cannot stop drinking alcohol or using drugs, even though they want to, this is called an addiction.   

American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) 

Substance use disorder treatment via Maryland Medicaid is based on regulations that specify ASAM levels of care. The ASAM criteria is a comprehensive set of standards and decision rules that use a holistic, person-centered approach to determining the appropriate level of care and developing treatment plans for patients with addiction and co-occurring conditions. To learn more and access ASAM criteria, visit the ASAM website. 

ASAM dimensions for addiction symptomology 

1. Intoxication and withdrawal potential  
2. Biomedical conditions  
3. Emotional, cognitive, behavioral conditions  
4. Readiness to change  
5. Relapse potential  
6. Recovery and living environment 

Levels of Care 

Various options are available to participants depending on the level of care needed. 

Combination of Service Rules: 

• Combination of Mental Health Services 5.1.23 

Medications for substance use disorder (MSUD) 

MSUD is a proven way to help people with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Starting MSUD can save lives for those who choose medication to support their recovery. There are three FDA-approved medications for OUD: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. For AUD, the approved medications are naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. These medications are FDA-approved and covered by Medicaid. 

42 CFR Part 2 

42 CFR Part 2 is a federal regulation that protects the confidentiality of patient records related to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, meaning healthcare providers treating SUD patients must take strict measures to safeguard patient information and can only disclose it under specific circumstances with patient consent or a court order. 

Key points about 42 CFR Part 2: 

• Focus on SUD treatment: This regulation applies to records created by federally assisted programs that treat substance use disorders.  
• Confidentiality protection: It restricts the disclosure of patient information without proper consent, including details about diagnosis, treatment, and identity.  
• Limited exceptions: Certain situations like medical emergencies, research with proper authorization, or court orders may allow for limited disclosure of patient information.  
• Goal to encourage treatment seeking: The strict confidentiality protections aim to encourage individuals to seek SUD treatment without fear of their information being shared inappropriately. 

Read the 42 CFR Part 2 Final Rule Fact Sheet 

Maryland Addictions Consultation Service (MACS) 

Phone: 1-855-337-MACS 
Website: http://www.marylandmacs.org  

Phone Consultation Service via telephone “Warm Line” 

• Clinical questions, resources, and general referral information  

Continuing Education 

• Training opportunities related to Opioid Use Disorders  

Resource & Referral Networking 

• Assistance identifying addiction and behavioral health resources that meet the needs of patients