CRISIS STABILIZATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN GEORGIA

PROVIDING URGENT SUPPORT TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL CRISES AND PROMOTE RECOVERY AND STABILITY

Crisis Stabilization Services in Georgia are short-term, intensive supports designed to assist individuals experiencing behavioral, emotional, or psychiatric crises. These services are authorized under Georgia’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs and other Medicaid-funded behavioral health programs, aiming to prevent unnecessary hospitalization and restore participants to their prior level of functioning in the community.

​​1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

Role: Administers Crisis Stabilization Services and monitors provider compliance for individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs

Agency: Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)

Role: Oversees Medicaid enrollment, service authorization, and reimbursement for Crisis Stabilization Services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight ensuring Crisis Stabilization Services meet Medicaid HCBS and behavioral health standards

2. CRISIS STABILIZATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Crisis Stabilization Services are short-term, structured services intended to:

• Rapidly de-escalate behavioral health crises

• Provide intensive supervision and therapeutic interventions

• Ensure participant safety during periods of instability

• Stabilize acute psychiatric symptoms

• Prevent unnecessary hospitalization or institutionalization

• Facilitate smooth transitions back to natural home settings or less restrictive environments

Approved providers may deliver:

• 24-hour supervision and monitoring

• Psychiatric evaluation and medication management (in licensed settings)

• Intensive behavioral support and therapeutic interventions

• Crisis counseling and emotional support

• Development of crisis intervention plans and relapse prevention strategies

• Coordination with families, case managers, and community supports

Settings may include facility-based Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs), mobile crisis response teams, or community-based stabilization services depending on the participant's need.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Georgia Secretary of State

• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)

• Obtain Behavioral Health Facility License through the Georgia Department of Community Health – Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) if operating a licensed Crisis Stabilization Unit

• Complete DBHDD Provider Enrollment for crisis service delivery

• Maintain professional, general liability, and property insurance

• Employ licensed mental health clinicians (e.g., LPCs, LCSWs, psychologists, psychiatrists) and crisis-trained staff

• Develop policies addressing emergency response, de-escalation, restraint/seclusion protocols (if applicable), and participant rights protections

4. DBHDD/DCH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Submit Letter of Intent to DBHDD for Crisis Stabilization Services

• Complete pre-qualification checklist including business registration, insurance, facility requirements (if applicable), and staffing models

Application and Documentation Submission:

• Submit Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, clinical staff credentials, operational policies, and sample crisis intervention plans

• Provide safety plans, emergency evacuation procedures, and behavioral support templates

Program Readiness Review:

• DBHDD conducts a comprehensive readiness review, including facility inspections (for CSUs) or programmatic audits (for community-based models)

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• After DBHDD approval, complete Medicaid enrollment through GAMMIS

• Configure billing codes specific to Crisis Stabilization Services (short-term intensive supports)

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Georgia Secretary of State)

• IRS EIN confirmation

• NPI confirmation

• Behavioral Health Facility License (if operating a facility-based CSU)

• Proof of insurance coverage (professional, general, property)

• DBHDD-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:

  • Participant intake, triage assessment, and crisis intervention planning

  • Crisis stabilization service delivery models and staffing plans

  • De-escalation techniques, restraint/seclusion protocols (if allowed)

  • Psychiatric support and medication management protocols (facility-based services)

  • HIPAA confidentiality, participant rights, and grievance procedures

  • Staff credentialing, background screening, and clinical competency documentation

  • Medicaid billing, service tracking, and incident reporting systems

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Crisis Stabilization Program Manager / Clinical Supervisor

Requirements: Licensed mental health professional (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, psychologist); supervisory experience preferred; background screening clearance

Role: Mental Health Clinicians / Behavioral Health Specialists

Requirements: Georgia licensure or certification (as applicable); experience in crisis intervention; background screening clearance

Role: Psychiatrist or Nurse Practitioner (for psychiatric services in facility-based programs)

Requirements: Georgia licensure; experience with acute behavioral health crises

Role: Direct Support Staff / Behavioral Health Aides

Requirements: High school diploma or GED minimum; crisis intervention and de-escalation training; background screening clearance

All staff must complete:

• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or equivalent de-escalation training

• HIPAA confidentiality, participant rights, and abuse prevention training

• Emergency preparedness and incident reporting training

• Annual refreshers in behavioral health crisis management and documentation

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Georgia Medicaid Waivers and Programs authorize Crisis Stabilization Services:

• Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP) (for developmental disabilities)

• New Options Waiver Program (NOW) (for developmental disabilities)

• Medicaid Behavioral Health State Plan Services (for general mental health crisis care)

• Mobile Crisis Response and Stabilization Programs (for children and adults)

Approved providers may deliver:

• Facility-based stabilization (short-term stays)

• Mobile crisis response and in-home de-escalation supports

• Crisis intervention planning, emotional support, and safety planning

• Linkage to ongoing behavioral health services and supports

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Licensing Setup

Timeline: 2–3 months (longer if setting up a facility)

Phase: DBHDD Crisis Provider Application and Readiness Review

Timeline: 90–120 days

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Clinical Program Development

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and Billing System Configuration

Timeline: 45–60 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

Website: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/

Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)

Website: https://dch.georgia.gov/

Georgia Medicaid Management Information System (GAMMIS)

Website: https://www.mmis.georgia.gov/

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — GEORGIA CRISIS STABILIZATION SERVICES PROVIDER

WCG supports behavioral health providers, residential care organizations, and crisis response teams in launching Medicaid-compliant Crisis Stabilization Services under Georgia’s HCBS and Medicaid behavioral health programs.

Scope of Work:

• Business registration and EIN/NPI setup

• DBHDD Provider Enrollment and facility licensing guidance

• Development of Crisis Stabilization Services Policy & Procedure Manual

• Staff credentialing templates and participant intake/crisis planning forms

• Medicaid billing setup and claims management

• Website, domain, and email setup

• Crisis triage, service documentation, and incident reporting templates

• Emergency preparedness, seclusion/restraint compliance (if applicable)

• Quality assurance and outcome tracking programs

• Community partnerships with hospitals, law enforcement, and behavioral health systems

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