top of page
Search

CRISIS SERVICES PROVIDER IN WEST VIRGINIA

  • Writer: Fatumata Kaba
    Fatumata Kaba
  • 2 days ago
  • 4 min read

RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES WITH STABILIZATION, DE-ESCALATION, AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING BEHAVIORAL OR MEDICAL CRISES IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS

​

Crisis Services in West Virginia provide immediate, short-term interventions to stabilize individuals experiencing a behavioral, emotional, or situational crisis. These services aim to reduce the risk of hospitalization, arrest, or out-of-home placement by managing crises in the least restrictive environment possible. These services are offered under Medicaid waivers such as the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Waiver and the Children with Serious Emotional Disorder Waiver (CSEDW), as well as through behavioral health programs supported by the Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH) and Bureau for Medical Services (BMS). Services must align with an individual’s Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) or Behavior Support Plan (BSP) when applicable.

​

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR)

Role: Oversees crisis system infrastructure and waiver integration.

Agency: Bureau for Medical Services (BMS)

Role: Administers Medicaid coverage and ensures provider compliance with billing and authorization protocols.

Agency: Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH)

Role: Oversees crisis response program design and behavioral health integration.

Agency: Acentra Health (formerly Kepro)

Role: Approves crisis services as part of PCSPs/ISPs and monitors utilization.

 

2. CRISIS SERVICES OVERVIEW

Crisis Services support individuals who are experiencing acute behavioral distress, medical instability, or disruptive episodes requiring immediate intervention. Services may be mobile, telephonic, or site-based.

Common components include:

  • Mobile Crisis Response (in-home, on-site, or community-based)

  • Behavioral De-escalation and Safety Planning

  • Mental Health Crisis Intervention

  • Medical Stabilization and Observation

  • 24/7 Crisis Hotlines and Response Coordination

  • Short-Term Crisis Residential Placement

  • Caregiver support and education during crisis

  • Linkage to long-term supports and behavioral services

Crisis intervention must be documented and reported within defined timeframes and authorized by the individual's service plan team or emergency protocols.

 

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

  • Register business with the WV Secretary of State

  • Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI

  • Apply as a Crisis Services provider under the I/DD Waiver or behavioral health designation

  • Enroll as a Medicaid provider through Gainwell Technologies

  • Secure appropriate staff licenses (e.g., LSW, LPC, RN, BCBA) based on service model

  • Submit a Crisis Services Policy & Procedure Manual

  • If offering residential crisis beds, apply for OHFLAC licensure

 

4. WEST VIRGINIA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register your organization and obtain NPI and EIN

Step 2: Apply to WVDHHR as a Crisis Services provider

Step 3: Enroll as a Medicaid provider via Gainwell Technologies

Step 4: Submit Policy & Procedure Manual detailing crisis response protocols

Step 5: Hire or contract credentialed clinicians and response staff

Step 6: Launch services after provider approval and waiver authorization

 

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

  • WV business registration and Medicaid provider ID

  • Crisis Services Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

    • 24/7 availability and on-call coverage plans

    • Clinical risk assessment protocols

    • Incident debriefing and care transition processes

    • Behavioral and safety crisis intervention models (e.g., CPI, MANDT)

    • HIPAA and participant rights safeguards

    • Training, supervision, and staff credentialing logs

    • Communication and reporting timelines for emergency events

    • Crisis documentation, billing, and ISP/PCSP tracking templates

 

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Crisis Intervention Specialist / Clinician

Requirements:

  • Licensed mental health or behavioral professional (LPC, LICSW, BCBA, RN, etc.)

  • Trained in de-escalation and crisis intervention (e.g., CPI-certified)

Role: Direct Care / Crisis Support Staff

Requirements:

  • Background check through WV CARES

  • Trained in emergency response, documentation, and person-centered care

Role: Crisis Coordinator / Supervisor

Responsibilities:

  • Ensures 24/7 coverage, oversees response quality, and supervises staff

All staff must complete:

  • HIPAA and confidentiality training

  • Abuse prevention and mandated reporter training

  • Emergency response and documentation protocols

  • Annual skills validation and behavioral health competencies

 

7. MEDICAID PROGRAMS THAT COVER CRISIS SERVICES

  • I/DD Waiver – Authorizes crisis response and behavioral supports when listed in the PCSP

  • CSEDW – Covers crisis intervention for children with serious emotional or behavioral challenges

  • Behavioral Health State Plan Services – May apply if services are not waiver-specific

  • TBIW – May allow crisis coverage for eligible incidents with proper documentation

All crisis services must be authorized and billed in accordance with Medicaid and waiver-specific rules.

 

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration & Staffing Plan Development

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment & Crisis Manual Preparation

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, & Crisis Protocol Setup

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Launch of Services

Timeline: Begins upon approval and PCSP/ISP authorization

 

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

WV Bureau for Medical Services (BMS)

Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH)

Acentra Health (formerly Kepro)

Office of Health Facility Licensure & Certification (OHFLAC)

Gainwell Technologies – Medicaid Enrollment

​

CRISIS SERVICES PROVIDER IN WEST VIRGINIA

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — WEST VIRGINIA CRISIS SERVICES PROVIDER

WCG helps behavioral health and disability service providers launch crisis response programs with full policy support, credentialing workflows, and Medicaid readiness.

​

Scope of Work:

  • Waiver application and Medicaid enrollment guidance

  • Crisis Response Policy & Procedure Manual compliant with WV waiver and behavioral standards

  • Staff credentialing packets and training schedules

  • Emergency response logs, incident report templates, and care transition forms

  • HIPAA and de-escalation protocols

  • Billing tools and audit-ready documentation support




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

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet
Add a rating
bottom of page