Provider Communication 005

Mandatory Closed Network for Peer Support and RB-BHT Services

We want to let you know about an important update affecting North Carolina Medicaid behavioral health services. Effective July 2, 2026, North Carolina Senate Bill 257 (the Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2026) requires each Prepaid Health Plan (PHP) to establish a mandatory closed network for the two service categories below, with the authority to determine which providers participate: 

1. Peer Support Services
2. Research-Based Behavioral Health Treatment (RB-BHT) Services 

In line with this requirement, Trillium will be maintaining a closed network for both services. We appreciate the work you do for the individuals and families we serve.

Special Announcement for all RB-BHT Providers

Effective May 18, 2026, Tailored Plans received approval from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to collect and verify certification, training and supervision information related to paraprofessionals and technicians who provide Research-Based Behavioral Health Treatment (RB-BHT).

What This Means for Providers

Trillium will conduct provider monitoring related to paraprofessionals' and/or technicians' qualification requirements on the date(s) services were rendered.

Providers may be asked to submit one or more of the following types of information:

• Competency and supervision documentation for the paraprofessional or technician who provided services.
• Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) certification showing the certification was active on the date of service.
• Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) certification through the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA), showing certification was active on the date of service.
• For services rendered during the 120-day grace period [per Session Law 2026-1, Section 3C.18.(a)]: documentation of the paraprofessional or technician's date of hire, supervision by a Licensed Qualified Autism Service Provider, and competencies as of the date services were provided.

Verification Resources

Trillium will verify certifications using the following tools:

• QABA Registry
• BACB Verification

This approval remains in effect until Trillium receives written notice from NCDHHS of an end date. Providers should ensure staff documentation is current and accessible. If providers are found out of compliance, they may be subject to sanctions and/or recoupment.

Next Steps

To begin this monitoring process, providers who provide RB-BHT are asked to complete this form and upload an Excel spreadsheet that includes the requested information.

Preparing for the Unified Claims System Launch on October 1: FAQ and Reminder for Next Information Session

Thank you to all our attendees at the first information session on June 23. Trillium received some thoughtful questions and has updated the frequently asked questions (FAQs) posted on our website. We encourage all impacted providers to visit the FAQs and continue to submit questions for us to cover in the next information session on July 28.

Register Here   Read the FAQ

To see the slides from the previous session, visit the Trillium website.

Updated Link: PCP/Provider Request for Care Manager Name or Assignment Referral Form

Trillium has updated the link to the PCP/Provider Request for Care Manager Name or Assignment Referral Form. The new link is active and available for use. Providers who have bookmarked the previous link are encouraged to update their records accordingly.
 

Side by Side with DMH/DD/SUS: July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

In recognition of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to join us for a conversation highlighting innovative approaches that are expanding access to mental health, substance use, crisis, and support services across North Carolina.
Communities across our state experience different barriers to care. From geography and transportation challenges to language, culture, stigma, and trust, organizations are finding new ways to connect with people who have not always had easy access to services and support. This webinar will feature organizations from across North Carolina that are working to reach people in new ways, build trust within their communities, and improve access to care. Through community stories and real-world examples, participants will hear what these organizations are learning and how their approaches are helping more people get connected to support. 

• Date: Monday, July 13, 2026
  Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  Register Here

Public Comment Open for Updated Peer Support Services Definition

The North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS) is seeking the advice and feedback of individuals, families, service providers and other organization/stakeholders in developing new or amended State-funded service definition policies. All comments are considered. The Department has delegated to the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services the authority to make the final decisions regarding behavioral health, I/DD and TBI state-funded service definition policy content and implementation.

Providers, peers, advocates, and other stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposed service definition and submit feedback during the 30-day public comment period. Comments will be accepted through July 31, 2026. 

Review the proposed State-Funded Peer Support Services definition and public comment information: Submit comments by July 31, 2026, to DHHS-DMH-CO-State-fundedServiceDefinitionFeedback@dhhs.nc.gov.

MORES: Youth and Families Now Have Access to Stabilization and Follow-Up Support After a Crisis

Sometimes, youth and families need more than a crisis response. What if a team could walk with a family for up to eight weeks after a crisis to help them find resources and services? This is the Mobile Outreach Response, Engagement and Stabilization (MORES) pilot program. 

MORES is a team-based crisis response intervention for children and adolescents aged 3-21 years experiencing escalating emotional and/or behavioral needs. MORES provides up to eight weeks of follow-up care after a crisis to assist the family and youth in obtaining services and supports including access to a licensed clinician trained in child and adolescent interventions, a qualified mental health professional, and a Family Support Partner (an individual with lived experience of caring for a child with behavioral health challenges) who provides support and access to psychiatric consultation and care management to provide connection to needed resources. 

Click here for more information - MORES Brochure 

Trillium has partnered with Easterseals PORT Health to provide MORES in Wayne, Wilson, Lenoir, and Duplin counties, and with Integrated Family Services to provide MORES in Pitt County.

Learn more about MORES in Wayne, Wilson, Lenoir, and Duplin counties on the Easterseals PORT Health website.

For additional information, send an email to LaKisha King at Easterseals PORT Health, or call 866-241-7245. 

Learn more about MORES in Pitt County on the Integrated Family Services website.

For additional information, send an email to Hunter Moseley at Integrated Family Services.

Submit a Referral

Please share and help spread the word about MORES: Youth and Families have access to stabilization and follow-up support after a crisis! 

Roadmap 2 Ready June 2026

Each month, we cover a topic that is a part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Emergency Preparedness Rule. 

Hurricane Season is here! Take a look at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast here. Although they are predicting a lower-than-average year, that does not mean there is no risk. Just one storm can make a big impact on our communities. 

Take this time to review your agencies’ emergency plans, train and review plans with your staff, talk to your members or consumers, and don’t forget to prepare personally. Part of any residential provider's plans requires identifying backup evacuation locations. Take this time to check in on your backup locations, talk through what that would look like, and review the memorandum of understanding (MOU) should they be needed. For more information on building relationships and MOUs please visit, Center for Medicaid & Medicare Services. 

If you have not already submitted your Disaster plans by May 1 to the 2026 Disaster Plan Submission, please do so as soon as possible. To confirm your disaster plan was received, just check the "send me a copy of my responses" option at the end of the form.

Disaster Plan Submission