Maternal Mental Health (MMH) Treatment Network Expansion

Date: September 10, 2024 

Attention: Primary Care and Obstetric Care Providers

Provider questionnaire due date: October 4, 2024

Call to action:The purpose of this communication is to notify you of the expansion of the Maternal Mental Health (MMH) Treatment Network and what action you need to take. The MMH Treatment Network aims to improve maternal health outcomes and promote overall well-being for mothers and their families by increasing the accessibility of postpartum screening and support services for Medicaid members. In order for Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) to grow our network we need your help with identifying network Primary Care and Obstetric Care Providers that treat Members with maternal mental health conditions as described below by completing a brief questionnaire available here indicating your choice to opt-in or opt-out of providing MMH treatment services. This expansion is in support of Senate Bill 750, 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019 Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) requirements around identification of maternal mental health providers and referral of members with maternal mental health conditions. These maternal mental health conditions include the following. 

• Perinatal and postpartum depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Bipolar illness (which may include psychotic symptoms), occurring within 12 months postpartum

Non-Behavioral Health (BH) providers included in the maternal mental health treatment network would not be obligated to provide any specific treatment or to treat complex or severe cases of maternal mental health conditions. Members with complex or severe conditions should be referred to a network Behavioral Health Specialist. If needed, TCHP will assist providers with the referral process to a BH Specialist. Providers should contact 832-828-1430. Additionally, here is a link to our online provider directory.

How this impacts providers: Providers that opt-in to support our members with these types of maternal mental health conditions will be indicated in our online provider directory and searchable for members seeking this type of specialty care. 

Provider Resources: The following resources may be helpful for non-BH providers interested in opting into the maternal mental health treatment network:

• The Collaborative Care Model integrates the services of behavioral health care managers and psychiatric consultants with primary care provider oversight to proactively manage behavioral health conditions. This model became a covered Texas Medicaid benefit on June 1, 2022.
• The Perinatal Psychiatry Access Network is a no cost, evidence-based, clinician-to-clinician program that provides access to a multidisciplinary network of mental health experts for peer-to-peer consults by phone and referrals and resources.

Collaborative Care Model – TMHP Notice

Perinatal Psychiatry Access Network (PeriPAN) – TCMHCC (utsystem.edu)

Next step for Providers: TCHP strongly encourages your feedback if you want to opt-in or opt-out of providing MMH treatment services by completing the brief questionnaire available here.Email Provider Relations at providerrelations@texaschildrens.orgwith any questions you may have.

For access to all provider alerts:https://www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/providers/provider-news/provider-alerts.