Dear Provider Partner,
First and foremost, thank you for your partnership and for the trust you place in Advocate Support Services, Inc. to serve individuals receiving behavioral health treatment. We value our shared commitment to helping Marylanders achieve greater independence, stability, recovery, and success in their communities.
We are writing to inform you of an important Maryland Medicaid requirement that directly impacts authorization and ongoing reimbursement for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program for Adults (PRP-A) services.
Under current Maryland Medicaid requirements, individuals referred to a PRP must be referred by a licensed mental health practitioner who is enrolled with Maryland Medicaid as an active individual provider. Referrals submitted under a group, clinic, agency, or facility NPI do not satisfy this requirement. Maryland Medicaid requires the NPI of an actively enrolled individual referring practitioner and may deny PRP claims when an enrolled individual provider is not identified. [PT13-26_Re…ng_to_PRPs | PDF], [health.maryland.gov], [health.maryland.gov]
As of June 1, 2026, Advocate Support Services, Inc. began implementing this requirement as part of our authorization and compliance review process. Unfortunately, we have identified individuals whose referrals do not contain a qualifying Medicaid-enrolled individual referring provider.
Because Medicaid authorization cannot be secured or maintained without a compliant referral source, we must provide notice that the affected client will be discharged from PRP services unless a qualifying referral is obtained.
Please understand that this action is not related to the client’s participation, progress, eligibility, or need for services. Rather, it is the result of a state Medicaid requirement that all PRP providers must follow.
Why This Requirement Matters
The requirement helps promote:
- Clinical accountability by ensuring that a licensed mental health professional remains actively involved in the individual’s treatment.
- Improved coordination of care between rehabilitation providers and treating clinicians.
- Safer transitions and continuity of services.
- Accurate Medicaid program oversight and protection of consumer benefits.
- Timely access to medically necessary services through proper authorization processes.
Ultimately, these requirements strengthen communication among providers and support better outcomes for the people we collectively serve.
How Providers Can Become Medicaid-Enrolled
If you are a licensed mental health professional and are not currently enrolled with Maryland Medicaid as an individual provider, you may wish to enroll so that you can continue referring individuals for PRP services.
Enrollment is available through Maryland Medicaid’s Electronic Provider Revalidation and Enrollment Portal (ePREP):
ePREP Enrollment Portal:
Maryland Medicaid ePREP Portal
Providers who do not intend to bill Maryland Medicaid may still be eligible to enroll as an Ordering, Referring, and Prescribing (ORP) Provider, allowing them to submit qualifying referrals while not billing Medicaid directly. Requirements vary by professional license and enrollment status. [PT13-26_Re…ng_to_PRPs | PDF], [health.maryland.gov]
Additional resources:
What We Need From You
To avoid disruption of services, please provide ( email: support@advocatesupport.com fax: 800-372-0799) one of the following as soon as possible and no later than July 10, 2026:
- A new PRP referral signed by a Maryland Medicaid-enrolled individual provider; or
- Confirmation of your active individual Medicaid enrollment and NPI; or
- The name and NPI of the actively enrolled supervising practitioner responsible for the client’s outpatient mental health treatment.
If we do not receive compliant referral information, we will be required to proceed with discharge in accordance with Medicaid requirements.
We recognize that this administrative change may create challenges for providers and clients alike. Our goal is to work collaboratively with you to preserve continuity of care whenever possible and to help individuals maintain access to the rehabilitation services they need.
If you have questions or require assistance determining whether a provider is enrolled, please contact our Admissions Department at 866-277-2080 or support@advocatesupport.com.
Thank you for your partnership and for your continued dedication to the individuals we serve.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Cooper
Executive Director
1-866-277-2080
www.advocatesupport.com