PARKLAND HEALTHfirst - Parkland Community Health Plan, Inc.

Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health services are covered benefits for Parkland KidsFirst and Parkland CHIP Perinate Newborn
members as indicated in the Scope of Services grid starting on page 6 and as described in the paragraphs below.
Behavioral Health services are not a covered benefit for Parkland CHIP Perinate members.
In addition to medical care, limited Behavioral Health care services are available for Parkland KidsFirst and
Parkland CHIP Perinate Newborn members. Behavioral Health is defined as those services provided for the
assessment and treatment of problems related to mental health and substance abuse. Substance abuse includes
abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Primary Care Providers can offer behavioral health treatment to members
within the scope of their practice. A complete listing of the Behavioral Health services available to Parkland
KidsFirst and Parkland CHIP Perinate Newborn members is located in the Scope of Services grid.
Parkland KidsFirst and Parkland CHIP Perinate Newborn ensures that the care of newly enrolled members is
not disrupted or interrupted. Parkland KidsFirst and Parkland CHIP Perinate Newborn must take special care to
provide continuity in the care of newly enrolled members whose physical health or behavioral health condition
has been provided by specialty care providers or whose health could be placed in jeopardy if care is disrupted or
interrupted.
Parkland KidsFirst and Parkland CHIP Perinate Newborn are committed to coordinating medical and behavioral
care for members who will be appropriately screened, evaluated, treated and/or referred for physical health or
behavioral health. Parkland KidsFirst and Parkland CHIP Perinate Newborn have designated a Behavioral
Health liaison to help with coordination of care and case management efforts.
Parkland KidsFirst members can self-refer to a participating Behavioral Health specialist by calling the
CompCare Behavioral Health Hotline listed on page 1 of this manual. Parents of Parkland CHIP Perinate
Newborn members should call Member Services at 1-888-814-2352. Ask for the Patient Management
Department for assistance. Parkland KidsFirst and Parkland CHIP Perinate Newborn promotes early
intervention and health screening for identification of behavioral health problems and patient education. To that
end, Parkland KidsFirst and Parkland CHIP Perinate Newborn providers are expected to:
• Screen, evaluate, treat and/or refer (as medically appropriate), any behavioral health problem/disorder;
• Primary Care Provider can treat for mental health and/or substance abuse disorders within the scope of their
practice;
• Tell members how and where to obtain Behavioral Health services;
Continuity and coordination of care is vital to assuring that members receive appropriate and timely care. The
provider and participating specialists are expected to talk often regarding the health care services provided to
each member. Copies of prior authorization/referral forms and other relevant communication between the
specialist and the Primary Care Provider should be maintained in both providers’ files for the member.
Providers must use DSM-IV multi-axial classifications and other assessment instruments or outcome measures
required by HHSC when assessing member for behavioral health services.
Parkland KidsFirst and Parkland CHIP Perinate Newborn also requires that all members receiving inpatient
psychiatric services must be scheduled for outpatient follow-up and/or continuing treatment before discharge.
The outpatient treatment must happen within seven days from the date of discharge. CompCare providers will
follow-up with CHIP members within 24 hours and try to reschedule missed appointments.
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