Regulation detail

29-5209

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29-5209 COMMUNITY BASED INTERVENTION

Jurisdiction: DC Agency: DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) — Title 22-A; and DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) — Title 29 Medicaid behavioral-health chapters
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Plain-English summary

This regulation governs Community Based Intervention (CBI) services under DC Medicaid, a mental health service delivered in 15-minute units requiring prior authorization. CBI services are provided in DBH-certified MHRS provider sites or home/community settings and include crisis de-escalation, referrals, caregiver support, and care transition support. The rule specifies billing restrictions, including prohibitions on same-day billing with certain other services (Counseling/Therapy, IDT, Community Support under most circumstances, and Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Services), and restricts CBI Levels 2 and 3 from being billed concurrently with ACT, MST, or FFT enrollment unless authorized.

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Regulation text
5209 COMMUNITY BASED INTERVENTION

5209.1 Community Based Intervention (“CBI”) services shall:

Be provided in fifteen (15) minute units;

Require prior authorization;

Not be billed on the same day as Counseling/Therapy or IDT;

Not be billed on the same day as Community Support, unless: 

(1) Community Support is provided within thirty (30) calendar days after enrollment into or within thirty (30) calendar days prior to discharge from CBI; or

(2) The services are otherwise authorized; and

Be provided in a DBH-certified MHRS provider’s service site, or home or community settings in accordance with Chapter 34 of Title 22-A DCMR.

5209.2 CBI services include services that:

Diffuse the current situation to reduce the likelihood of the need for more intensive therapeutic interventions;

Provide referrals to other needed social, mental, and physical health services;

Provide mental health service and support interventions that develop and improve the ability of parents, legal guardians, or significant others to provide care; and 

Support transitions of care for consumers beginning or ending CBI. 

5209.3 CBI shall be delivered in accordance with the requirements set forth in Chapter 34 of Title 22-A DCMR.

5209.4 CBI Levels 2 and 3 shall not be billed on the same day as Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Services. CBI Level 2 and 3 shall not be billed while a consumer is enrolled in ACT, MST, or FFT, unless otherwise authorized. 

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 49 DCR 4860 (May 24, 2002); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 012836 (October 21, 2022); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 72 DCR 013719 (December 5, 2025).

District of Columbia Municipal Regulations

 Public Welfare
29 DCMR § 5209