This chapter establishes administrative and certification standards for non-310 Board providers that contract directly with the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (DMH/MR) to deliver a broad range of mental health, substance use, and mental retardation services. Covered programs include inpatient, outpatient/therapy, partial hospitalization, emergency care, residential care, rehabilitation/habilitation, and prevention services. Providers must comply with financial requirements (audit submission, administrative cost caps, subcontractor payment timelines), subcontracting approval rules, and DMH/MR certification standards for each specific service division. A continuous quality improvement (CQI) system encompassing subcontractors is also required.
View official source580-1-4-.01 Introduction The mission of the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (DMH/MR) under the Code of Ala. 1975 , Sections 22-50-1 through 91, Act 881, is to act in “any prudent way to provide mental health services and mental retardation services for the people of Alabama”. The Commissioner for the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation is authorized and directed to set up state plans for the purpose of controlling and treating any and all forms of mental and emotional illness and any and all forms of mental retardation, and shall divide the state into areas for the purpose of establishing priorities and programs, and for organizational and administrative purposes in accordance with these state plans. The Commissioner under Act 881 is also authorized to supervise, coordinate and establish standards for all operations and activities of the state related to mental health and mental retardation and substance abuse services and the providing of mental health services and mental retardation services and substance abuse services. Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§22-50-11, 22-51-1 – 22-51-14. History: New Rule: Filed December 5, 2001; effective January 9, 2002. Amended: FiledMarch 26, 2002; effective April 30, 2002. 580-1-4-.02 Applicability Providers, not otherwise covered by 580-2-1, may contract directly with DMH/MR for one or more of the following programs or services: (a) Inpatient (b) Outpatient/Therapy Services (c) Partial Hospitalization (d) Emergency Care (e) Community Education and Consultation (f) Diagnosis (g) Evaluation (h) Rehabilitation/Habilitation (i) PreCare (j) Residential Care/Respite Care (k) Aftercare and (l) Prevention programs and services of all forms of mental or emotional illness, including, but not limited to, alcoholism, drug addiction, epilepsy, or mental retardation. Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §22-50-11. History: New Rule: Filed December 5, 2001; effective January 9, 2002. Amended: Filed March 26, 2002; effective April 30, 2002. Amended: Filed November 19, 2003; effective December 24, 2003. 580-1-4-.03 Certification For specific programs and services, whether contracted or subcontracted, provided by Providers, Providers shall meet and insure compliance with the specified DMH/MR service division’s certification standards. Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §22-50-11. History: New Rule: Filed December 5, 2001; effective January 9, 2002. Amended: Filed March 26, 2002; effective April 30, 2002. 580-1-4-.04 Role And Function (1) Providers will develop and provide services within resource availability. (2) DMH/MR shall maintain authority for confirmation, enrollment, and establishment of eligibility for individuals for services under contract with DMH/MR. Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §22-50-11. History: New Rule: Filed December 5, 2001; effective January 9, 2002. Amended: Filed March 26, 2002; effective April 30, 2002. 580-1-4-.05 Administrative Standards For Providers (Non – 310) Providers must meet the following standards: (1) Providers must supply to the DMH/MR annually an unqualified prior year audit including such DMH/MR contracted funds allocated for subcontractors. (2) Providers when subcontracting shall provide to the DMH/MR a copy of the subcontract for approval prior to initiation. No Provider may subcontract more than 10% of their total DMH/MR funding without approval of the DMH/MR. (3) Providers may use no more than 15% of the DMH/MR contracted funds for administrative costs. Administrative costs include non-direct program costs and administrative costs to support, maintain, and administer the direct program services provided or contracted by the Provider. (4) Providers shall not charge an administrative fee to subcontractors providing services funded through DMH/MR. (5) Providers shall pay subcontractors within 15 working days of the receipt of contract funds from DMH/MR. (6) Providers shall establish a CQI system, which complies with the standards set forth by the DMH/MR, and shall encompass its subcontractor of DMH/MR services. (7) Providers shall ensure compliance with the specified DMH/MR service division's certification standards. Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §22-50-11. History: New Rule: Filed December 5, 2001; effective January 9, 2002. Amended: Filed March 26, 2002; effective April 30, 2002.