All PlansAdministrativeLow impact
New 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Offers Pennsylvanians Easy Access to Mental Health Crisis Support 24/7
UPMC Health Plan·PA · Psychiatry·Education
Effective date
Jul 16, 2022
We identified it
Aug 7, 2026
Summary
Pennsylvania has implemented the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a federally-supported mental health crisis service available 24/7 via phone, text, or chat. Healthcare providers should educate patients about this resource as an alternative to emergency services for mental health and substance use crises. This is an educational/referral update with no direct billing impact.
Action Required
No billing system changes required. By August 31, 2024: Front desk staff and clinical providers should be aware of the 988 lifeline to appropriately educate patients experiencing mental health or substance use crises. Optionally, practices may print 988 fact sheets (available in English and Spanish from the SAMHSA Partner toolkit at dhs.pa.gov/Services/Mental-Health-In-PA/Pages/988.aspx) for patient education materials. No coding, documentation, or claims processing changes are needed.