BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER IN OKLAHOMA

DELIVERING INDIVIDUALIZED MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS TO PROMOTE WELLNESS, STABILITY, AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION

Behavioral Health Services in Oklahoma provide support for individuals facing mental illness, developmental disabilities, behavioral challenges, or co-occurring disorders. These services aim to reduce crises, improve daily functioning, and promote recovery by using evidence-based interventions. Behavioral Health Services are covered under Oklahoma Medicaid (SoonerCare), various Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA)

Role: Administers SoonerCare (Medicaid) and reimburses behavioral health service providers.

Agency: Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS)

Role: Licenses behavioral health agencies, certifies staff, and oversees crisis response programs.

Agency: Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) – DDS

Role: Coordinates behavioral support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)**

Role: Ensures services meet federal Medicaid HCBS and mental health parity regulations.

2. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES OVERVIEW

Behavioral Health Services include assessment, therapy, skill-building, and crisis intervention delivered in the home, community, or clinic setting, based on individual needs and service plans.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Behavioral Health Assessments: Clinical evaluations to determine diagnoses, needs, and service eligibility.

• Individual & Family Therapy: Evidence-based therapeutic interventions addressing emotional regulation, trauma, and relationships.

• Behavior Support Services (HCBS Waiver): Functional behavior assessments (FBAs), behavior intervention plan (BIP) development, and staff/caregiver training.

• Crisis Intervention: De-escalation and stabilization services to manage urgent behavioral health concerns.

• Rehabilitative Skills Building: Teaching self-management, coping strategies, and social skills.

• Medication Management (Psychiatric): Psychiatric nurse practitioners or psychiatrists oversee medication and psychiatric care plans.

• Coordination with Schools or Employers: Support teams collaborate to promote stability across environments.

• Documentation: Treatment plans, progress notes, crisis logs, incident reports, and Medicaid billing forms.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.

• Obtain EIN and NPI (Type 2 for agency, Type 1 for clinicians).

• Apply for licensure with ODMHSAS as a Behavioral Health Agency or Outpatient Mental Health Facility.

• Enroll as a behavioral health provider with OHCA via the SoonerCare Provider Portal.

• Maintain general, professional, and malpractice insurance.

• Develop a Behavioral Health Services Policy & Procedure Manual.

• Ensure staff hold valid Oklahoma licensure and meet ODMHSAS certification/training standards.

4. OKLAHOMA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Form your business entity and secure all licensure/insurance requirements.

Step 2: Apply for agency certification with ODMHSAS.

Step 3: Enroll as a behavioral health provider through OHCA’s SoonerCare portal.

Step 4: Train staff on documentation standards, HIPAA, and crisis response protocols.

Step 5: Begin receiving referrals from case managers, schools, health clinics, or waiver programs.

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation and Business License

• IRS EIN and NPI documentation

• ODMHSAS licensure approval

• Insurance documentation

• Behavioral Health Services Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

  • Clinical documentation and treatment planning workflows

  • Emergency/crisis response and de-escalation protocols

  • Behavior support plan development and implementation

  • Supervision standards for licensed/unlicensed staff

  • Participant rights and HIPAA compliance

  • Quality assurance, outcome tracking, and complaint resolution

  • Medicaid billing and service encounter forms

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Clinical Director / Program Supervisor

Requirements: Licensed LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or psychologist with behavioral health leadership experience.

Role: Behavioral Health Therapists

Requirements: Active Oklahoma licensure (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LBP); experience in clinical mental health or IDD behavior support.

Role: Behavioral Support Specialists / Technicians

Requirements: Bachelor’s in psychology or human services; training in behavioral techniques and FBA/BIP implementation.

Role: Psychiatric Provider (Optional)

Requirements: Oklahoma-licensed psychiatrist or APRN with psych endorsement.

All staff must complete:

• HIPAA and documentation compliance training

• Crisis de-escalation and abuse prevention training

• ODMHSAS-approved continuing education and supervision

• Annual performance reviews and safety drills

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Behavioral Health Services are covered under:

• SoonerCare (Medicaid State Plan) – outpatient therapy and medication services

• ADvantage Waiver – limited behavioral consults and interventions

• Medically Fragile Waiver – behavioral services integrated into care plans

• DDS Waivers (Community & IHSW) – functional behavior assessments, BIPs, and ongoing support

• Living Choice Program – behavior support for individuals transitioning from institutions

• Crisis Services – ODMHSAS-funded mobile response and stabilization (non-Medicaid waiver)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Licensing & Credentialing

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment & ODMHSAS Certification

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Staff Hiring & Training

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Referral Partnerships & Service Delivery

Timeline: Ongoing upon readiness and credential approval

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA)

Website: https://oklahoma.gov/ohca

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS)

Website: https://oklahoma.gov/odmhsas

Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DDS)

Website: https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.cms.gov

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — OKLAHOMA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDER

WCG helps behavioral health agencies in Oklahoma navigate launch, licensing, and compliance by offering:

Scope of Work:

• Business formation, ODMHSAS licensing, and OHCA Medicaid enrollment

• Behavioral Health Policy Manual tailored to waiver and outpatient services

• Staff credentialing tools and training compliance checklists

• Therapy documentation templates, BIP tools, and billing logs

• Quality assurance protocols, audit prep, and outcome reporting

• Branding, referral development, and school or community outreach strategies

• Optional coordination tools for integrating with waiver care plans and IDD case managers

Continue To Our Client Portal To Get Started

Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements.