Temporary Changes to Referral and Authorization Processes

The Single Assessment (SA) process was implemented statewide on February 2, 2026, as part of the State’s obligations and commitments under the Children’s Behavioral Health Settlement Agreement. The Single Assessment is a key component of the Agreement, designed to ensure consistent, clinically appropriate determinations of service eligibility and to support service planning.

Since implementing the process, we have heard from providers and observed that the time required to schedule and complete Single Assessments is longer than anticipated. We are actively working with Acentra and system partners to improve timeliness and reduce delays.

While we address these operational challenges, it is important to emphasize that the Single Assessment remains a required component of the system and will continue to be used to determine eligibility for medium-and-high intensity services.

Effective immediately to ensure children and families can access services without delay, the Department is implementing the following temporary process changes.

Temporary Process Change

Details

Extension of existing Authorizations

Authorizations that were in place prior to February 2, 2026, and are nearing their current expiration date will be extended from the existing expiration date as follows:

  • 90 days: Child ACT, HCT, MST, FFT
  • 180 days: RCS, TFC

Providers should submit a continued stay request, but no additional documentation is required.

A Single Assessment must be completed before the end of the extended authorization period.

Temporary Return to Direct-to-Provider Referrals and Prior Authorization (PA)

 

This change is intended to ensure timely referrals to services while Single Assessments are pending.

Effective immediately the Department will temporarily reinstate the referral and authorization process for community-based services that was in place prior to February 2, 2026:

  • Care Coordinators subsequently submit referrals directly to providers.
  • Providers submit PA requests using the prior process

Additional requirement:

  • Care Coordinators must also submit a request for a Single Assessment for medium- or high-intensity service referrals

Out-of-Home Placement Referrals (No Change)

The referral process for out-of-home placements will not revert to the previous process. If there is a recommendation or request for an out-of-home placement, a completed Single Assessment is required prior to referral.

 

These changes are temporary measures intended to support children’s access to services while the Department works with Acentra and system partners to address the Single Assessment operational challenges and improve assessment timeliness. Additional updates will be shared as further operational improvements are implemented.

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work through these operational challenges.