Rehabilitation Mental Health Services:
Medical Necessity, Clinical Leadership & Compliance

   MACMHP Thornton workshop
   MACMHP Thornton Registration
   Federal Audit Article
   OIG Article

Featuring: Mary Thornton, BSRN, MBA
Mary Thornton & Associates
National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare Consultant
February 7, 2006 F 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Topics will focus on:

• Medical necessity: service supported by diagnosis & functional assessment
• Documentation of active treatment or goal oriented skill building
• Services inconsistent with the assessment and individual treatment plan
• Effective clinical oversight and supervision by MH professional
• Services directed at family/caregiver problems unrelated to client's symptoms
• Confusion about case management, social services vs. MH rehab. services
• Compliance plans, management and clinical supervision responsibilities

As mental health funding has evolved from grants to complex
reimbursement-based systems, new responsibilities and risks emerge for
direct care staff and managers. Rehabilitation services and case management
have received recent scrutiny and attention in federal audits and the Office
of the Inspector General's annual work plan. Providers and supervisors can
use the information about potential areas of audit risk to sharpen their
focus on service content and documentation. Medicaid is now making it clear
that they are going beyond looking for a progress note and are evaluating
actual service content and treatment strategies. Federal auditors have
indicated that they plan additional audits of rehabilitation services and
case management. Providers need to understand these audits and what they
mean for service delivery and oversight. For providers, this workshop will
help to:

• Use treatment plans to manage service delivery for kids & adults
• Apply medical rehabilitation principles in mental health services
• Understand the expected focus and content of treatment plans

Intended Audience

• Mental Health Professionals
• ARMHS Program Managers
• Clinical
• Supervisors
• CTSS Program Directors
• Direct Care Team Leaders
• Case Managers
• Clinical Directors
• Mental Health Practitioners
• Quality
• Assurance Staff

About the Speaker:  Mary Thornton, BSRN, MBA
Thornton is a talented and engaging trainer with significant expertise in
rehabilitation model, medical necessity and compliance training. She
combines a Bachelor's in Nursing with an MBA to assist behavioral
healthcare service providers in designing efficient, high quality services
and programs.  Mary also is skilled at converting operations to meet
reimbursement demands by addressing service content, delivery and
management issues. Her areas of expertise include: operational
efficiency and effectiveness, corporate compliance, program development,
marketing, strategic planning, and quality improvement. Mary Thornton is
author of Ahead of the Game - Compliance Strategies for the Behavioral
Healthcare Industry, Version 3.  She consults nationally with community
providers, associations, and several states.

Continuing Education Credit
The workshop is designed to meet the criteria for approved continuing
education activities.  Certificates will be available following the seminar.
Applications have been submitted to the Boards of Psychology, Marriage and
Family Therapy, and Social Work; self-submittal information sheets will also
be available.

Cost  

• $50/person for Association Members
• $60/person for Non-Members