MedicaidAdministrativeMedium impact
Public Behavioral Health System Administrative Service Organization Vendor Change
Maryland Medicaid·MD · Psychiatry·Provider Transmittal
Effective date
Jan 1, 2025
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Maryland is transitioning the Public Behavioral Health System's Administrative Service Organization from Optum Maryland to Carelon Behavioral Health, effective January 1, 2025. The 10-month transition period begins March 1, 2024. Billing teams must prepare for vendor changes in claims processing, prior authorization handling, and provider communication channels, though the toll-free provider number remains unchanged.
Action Required
By December 31, 2024: Billing team must prepare for vendor transition by (1) verifying all behavioral health claims currently submitted to Optum Maryland will transition to Carelon Behavioral Health on January 1, 2025; (2) updating internal documentation and staff training materials to reflect Carelon as the new ASO vendor; (3) confirming that the provider toll-free number (1-800-888-1965) remains the same and does not require system updates; (4) monitoring for Carelon outreach and provider training communications and ensuring staff complete any required training before go-live. Between now and January 1, 2025: Billing team should monitor mdh.mabehavioralhealth@maryland.gov for additional implementation details regarding claims submission processes, prior authorization procedures, and system access changes. No immediate action required before March 1, 2024 contract award date, but maintain awareness of transition timeline.