Michigan Medicaid Mental Health Framework: Standardized Mental Health Assessments
Meridian reminds behavioral health providers of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) standardized mental health assessment requirements under the Michigan Medicaid Mental Health Framework. These assessments identify members’ mental health needs and support treatment planning.
What Are the Required Standardized Assessments?
MDHHS has designated the following standardized assessment tools:
- MichiCANS Screener: For children and youth under age 21
- LOCUS: For adults age 21 and older
Who Is Required to Complete the Assessments?
Michigan Medicaid mental health providers whose scope of practice includes assessing mental health needs must use the appropriate standardized assessment. Applicable providers include Child Mental Health Professionals (CMHPs), Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHPs), and Qualified Intellectual Disability Professionals (QIDPs) whose scope includes mental health assessment. These requirements apply to dates of service on or after October 1, 2025.
When Should an Assessment Be Completed?
Complete the appropriate assessment as part of initial assessment and ongoing reassessment:
- Completion upon initial mental health service use
- Reassessment at least every 12 months
- Reassessment more frequently when there is a change in the member's condition or care needs
Why Are Standardized Assessments Important?
Assessment results are intended to help determine future mental health coverage responsibilities between Medicaid Health Plans (MHPs) and Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs). Broader coverage-responsibility changes have been delayed, and MDHHS has not released an updated timeline. Standardized assessments remain central to future implementation.
Training Requirements
Applicable clinicians should complete the required training for the assessment they administer.
MichiCANS training and certification include:
- Transformational Collaborative Outcomes Management (TCOM) Orientation
- MichiCANS Overview
- MichiCANS Certification Course/Assessment
For LOCUS, MDHHS identifies Michigan-specific LOCUS Basic Training for qualified mental health providers.
Documentation and Submission
Complete the applicable assessment, document results in the member’s record, enter the assessment into the MDHHS-designated tool, and bill according to applicable requirements.
Billing for Standardized Assessments
Standardized mental health assessments are billable services.
MDHHS policy identifies applicable psychiatric diagnostic evaluation or behavioral screening and testing procedure codes for LOCUS and MichiCANS assessments. Follow the billing requirements for your provider type and delivery system.
Provider Action
Review your processes to ensure:
- Applicable clinicians understand the requirements and have completed required training and certification.
- MichiCANS is used for members under age 21 and LOCUS for members age 21 and older.
- Assessments are completed at initial mental health service use, at least every 12 months, and more frequently when a member’s condition or care needs change.
- Results are documented and entered into the MDHHS-designated tool, and services are billed according to applicable requirements.
Our Continued Partnership
Thank you for incorporating these requirements into your practice and for your continued care of Meridian members. If you have any additional questions please contact Provider Relations.