As the Foxx Chubby team continues to process the proposed updates to the Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration COMAR 10.63 community-based mental health services regulations, I recall a conversation I had at a local crab house. I met two women in the behavioral health field—one a seasoned clinician and the other a contractor. We naturally talked about the quality of services and compliance across the state. The contractor proudly exclaimed, "I've gotten over 115 programs licensed!" I was surprised and thought, "How many of those programs have continued to provide quality care? How many would you recommend? Where is the accountability?"
At our firm, we’ve chosen to support licensing for far fewer programs, focusing on quality over quantity. We always consider how we can best serve the vulnerable people who rely on us. We strive to meet providers where they are but are selective about who we work with. We only take on providers we believe we can help integrate quality and compliance into their operations. We stress that while there are ways to navigate administrative tasks, workarounds shouldn't be standard practice. Instead, we aim to help practices build adaptable strategies that ensure long-term quality care for those in need.
We are meeting with our clients, attending stakeholder forums, and engaging in conversations with providers at large. We understand and share many of the concerns providers have about the clarifying regulations and proposed changes. We encourage everyone to use this time to reflect on where your organization stands and where there may be room for growth. This is an opportunity for self-assessment and improvement.
As a community, we also need to ensure that the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is and continues to be a supportive and accountable partner. Please participate in the process by sharing your thoughts, attending meetings, and staying informed. Ask the tough questions you need answers to. Challenge the proposals as you see fit. Embrace the flexibilities that make your work easier. Hopefully, together, we can work towards a system that values quality and accountability across the board, ensuring that all providers can thrive and deliver the best care possible.
We're here to support you as partners across the community, working towards a common goal of excellence in care. Let's approach these changes with understanding and a commitment to quality.
BHA is accepting comments on the proposed regulations until August 31, 2024. You can review the regulations, listen to recordings of stakeholder meetings, and submit comments at this BHA link.
If you have questions that you do not feel comfortable asking BHA directly, need help completing a self-assessment, seek to understand how changes may impact your organization, or want assistance planning for moving forward, we are happy to help you.
You can contact us at connect@foxxchubby.com or 443-219-8400.
Foxx Chubby HPC is a privately held, independent health policy firm. Our mission is to support access to high quality behavioral healthcare for vulnerable individuals across Maryland. We do so by partnering across the state to ensure owners and leadership are supported in understanding and implementing best practices through compliance and quality management.
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