BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER IN ALABAMA

Fatumata Kaba
Jun 30
3 min read

SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH CLINICAL AND BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS

Behavioral Health Services in Alabama are designed to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in managing behaviors that interfere with daily living, community participation, and interpersonal relationships. These services include clinical assessments, behavioral support plans, therapy, and crisis intervention, all delivered under the guidelines of Alabama’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers and in compliance with the standards set by the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH).

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH)

Role: Regulates provider eligibility, credentialing, and quality assurance for behavioral services under HCBS waivers

Agency: Alabama Medicaid Agency

Role: Manages provider enrollment and Medicaid billing for Behavioral Health Services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight to ensure behavioral services meet HCBS waiver compliance standards

2. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICE OVERVIEW

Behavioral Health Services are person-centered interventions designed to address emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges. These services aim to reduce harmful behaviors, enhance emotional regulation, and promote functional skills that lead to greater independence and quality of life. Approved providers may deliver:

Behavioral assessments and functional behavior analyses (FBA)
Development of individualized Behavior Support Plans (BSP)
One-on-one behavioral therapy sessions
Training for caregivers and support staff in behavior management strategies
Crisis prevention and intervention planning
Monitoring and revision of behavior plans based on data collection and outcomes

All services must be outlined in the person-centered plan and approved through ADMH’s review process.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Alabama Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Employ or contract qualified behavioral health professionals (e.g., BCBA, LPC, LCSW)
Develop protocols for assessments, interventions, and documentation
Secure a HIPAA-compliant office or virtual platform for service delivery
Establish systems for data collection, analysis, and reporting

4. ADMH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Request the Behavioral Health Services Provider Application Packet from ADMH
Submit a clinical service model, including supervision structure and staff roles
Provide example assessment tools, BSP templates, and training materials

Background & Credentialing:

Criminal background checks for all clinical and support staff
Proof of professional licensure or certification (BCBA, LCSW, LPC, etc.)
Documentation of continuing education and relevant experience

Program Readiness Review:

Review of clinical documentation processes and privacy protocols
Evaluation of safety planning, emergency response, and consumer consent procedures
Confirmation of data collection systems and outcome reporting tools

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

Once approved by ADMH, complete enrollment with Alabama Medicaid as a Behavioral Health Services provider
Add applicable billing codes for behavioral and therapeutic services

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or LLC Certificate
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
Office lease or HIPAA-compliant virtual service documentation
ADMH-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Assessment procedures and behavior plan development
- Crisis prevention and response policies
- Informed consent, confidentiality, and rights documentation
- Staff credentialing, training logs, and supervision plans
- Client documentation templates for therapy notes and progress tracking
- Ethical compliance and fraud prevention protocols
Signed service agreements and individualized BSPs

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Clinical Supervisor (e.g., BCBA, Licensed Therapist)Requirements: Master’s degree or higher in psychology, social work, applied behavior analysis, or related field; state licensure or national certification

Role: Behavior Technician or Support Specialist

Requirements: High school diploma or higher; training in behavior support and data collection; direct supervision by a licensed professional

All staff must complete: