Crisis Intervention Services in Indiana offer immediate, short-term interventions to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, emotional distress, or psychiatric emergencies. These services help stabilize the individual, prevent unnecessary hospitalization or institutionalization, and connect participants to appropriate ongoing supports. Crisis Intervention is authorized under Indiana Medicaid, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs, and specialized behavioral health initiatives.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) — Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA)
Role: Oversees Crisis Intervention provider certification, service quality, funding administration, and participant protections

Agency: Indiana Medicaid (Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning - OMPP)
Role: Administers Medicaid billing for Crisis Intervention Services under State Plan and Waiver programs

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight ensuring Medicaid Crisis Intervention Services meet quality, participant-centered, and safety requirements under HCBS regulations

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2. CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Crisis Intervention Services provide immediate, time-limited assistance to participants in crisis to de-escalate behaviors, stabilize mental health symptoms, and prevent unnecessary institutionalization.

Approved providers may deliver:

• 24/7 crisis response through mobile crisis units, telephone crisis lines, or walk-in crisis centers
• Risk assessment, de-escalation, and behavioral stabilization
• Safety planning, crisis counseling, and emotional support
• Referral and linkage to ongoing treatment, residential crisis services, or psychiatric care if needed
• Follow-up services to ensure participant stability post-crisis

All interventions must be documented in a Crisis Intervention Plan and align with the participant’s overall Individualized Service Plan (ISP) or Transition Plan when applicable.

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3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business entity with the Indiana Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Enroll as a Medicaid Behavioral Health Provider through the Indiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
• Obtain DMHA certification for Crisis Services (Mobile Crisis Response, Crisis Stabilization Units, or Behavioral Health Crisis Centers)
• Maintain professional liability, general liability, and worker’s compensation insurance
• Develop policies for crisis assessment, intervention, emergency response, staff safety, and HIPAA compliance
• Ensure all crisis response staff meet required background screening, licensure, training, and credentialing requirements

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4. INDIANA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Submit Provider Enrollment Application through Indiana Medicaid Provider Portal for Behavioral Health and Crisis Services

Application and Documentation Submission:

• Provide Articles of Incorporation, EIN/NPI confirmation, facility or mobile unit readiness documents (if applicable), insurance certificates, staff licensure and training records, crisis response protocols, and HIPAA compliance policies

Program Readiness Review:

• DMHA reviews readiness including staffing qualifications, emergency preparedness, clinical documentation, participant rights protections, and billing readiness

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Upon approval, providers are authorized to bill Medicaid for crisis risk assessments, crisis intervention sessions, stabilization supports, and transition planning

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5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business Registration (Indiana Secretary of State)
• IRS EIN confirmation
• NPI confirmation
• DMHA certification (for Crisis Services providers)
• Proof of general liability and professional malpractice insurance

Crisis Intervention Services Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Crisis response procedures, de-escalation techniques, and risk assessment protocols
• Participant rights protections, HIPAA compliance, and grievance policies
• Critical incident reporting, emergency transfer, and escalation protocols
• Staff credentialing, licensure, background checks, and training documentation
• Medicaid billing and audit-ready clinical documentation procedures

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Crisis Services Clinical Director / Supervisor
Requirements: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Psychologist (PhD/PsyD), or Licensed Psychiatrist (MD/DO), crisis management experience, background clearance

Role: Crisis Intervention Specialists / Mobile Crisis Responders
Requirements: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social work, psychology, nursing, counseling, or related field, training in crisis intervention, de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and safety planning, background screening clearance

Role: Peer Recovery Specialists (optional, depending on program model)
Requirements: Certified Recovery Specialist credential preferred, lived experience with mental health recovery, background screening clearance

All staff must complete:

• Crisis de-escalation and suicide prevention training (e.g., CPI, QPR)
• Trauma-informed care and participant-centered service delivery training
• Emergency response and critical incident management training
• HIPAA compliance and participant confidentiality training
• Annual competency evaluations and continuing education in crisis intervention best practices

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS AND STATE PLAN COVERAGE

Crisis Intervention Services are reimbursed through:

• Indiana Medicaid State Plan Behavioral Health Services: Including Mobile Crisis Response and Crisis Stabilization Services
• Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers: Behavioral supports and emergency interventions under:
• Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) Waiver
• Family Supports Waiver (FSW)
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver (for behavioral crises)

Approved providers may deliver:

• Crisis response assessments
• Mobile crisis intervention and stabilization
• Crisis safety planning and referral services
• Transition services from crisis to outpatient care

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation, DMHA Certification, and Clinical Readiness Preparation
Timeline: 2–4 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Crisis Program Development
Timeline: 2–4 months

Phase: Indiana Medicaid Enrollment and Billing System Setup
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Service Launch, 24/7 Crisis Response Setup, and Community Outreach
Timeline: 30–45 days

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) — Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA)
Website: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/

Indiana Medicaid — Provider Enrollment Portal
Website: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/providers/

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Website: https://www.cms.gov/

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration, DMHA certification assistance, and Medicaid enrollment support
• Development of Crisis Intervention Services Policy & Procedure Manual
• Staff credentialing templates, crisis assessment forms, de-escalation protocols, and emergency response guides
• Medicaid billing system setup and audit-ready claims management
• Website, domain, and professional branding setup
• Community crisis service mapping and referral system development
• Quality assurance programs for incident tracking, service outcome measurement, and participant satisfaction
• Partnership development with hospitals, outpatient clinics, law enforcement, and community agencies