Chapter 10. Mental Health Glossary

Access

The entry point to the Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP), sometimes called an "Access Center," where Medicaid beneficiaries call or go to request mental health services.

Adult Benefits Waiver (ABW)

Michigan health care program for certain low-income adults who are not eligible for the Medicaid program. Contact Customer Services for more information. This is a narrowly defined benefit that does not entitle you to all of the services and supports described in this handbook. The ABW service array is specifically outlined in Chapter 9.

Amount, Duration, and Scope

Terms used to describe how much, how long, and in what ways the Medicaid services that are listed in a person's individual plan of service will be provided.

Beneficiary

An individual who is eligible for and enrolled in the Medicaid/ABW program in Michigan.

CA

An acronym for Substance Abuse Coordinating Agency. The CAs in Michigan manage services for people with substance use disorders. The Thumb Alliance PIHP is the designated CA for Lapeer, Sanilac, and St. Clair counties.

CMHSP

An acronym for Community Mental Health Services Program. There are 46 CMHSPs in Michigan that provide services in their local areas to individuals with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities. They may also be referred to as CMH. Three CMHSPsmake up the Thumb Alliance - Lapeer County CMH, Sanilac County CMH, and St. Clair County CMH and Sanilac County CMH.

Deductible (or Spend-Down)

A term used when individuals qualify for Medicaid coverage even though their countable incomes are higher than the usual Medicaid income standard. Under this process, the medical expenses that an individual incurs during a month are subtracted from the individual's income during that month. Once the individual's income has been reduced to a state-specified level, the individual qualifies for Medicaid benefits for the remainder of the month. Medicaid applications and deductible determinations are managed by the MIchigan Department of Human Services, independent of the PIHP/CA service system.

Developmental Disability

As defined by the Michigan Mental Health Code, developmental disability means either of the following:

1. If applied to a person older than five years, a severe chronic condition that is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or both, and is manifested before the age of 22 years; is likely to continue indefinitely; and results in substantial functional limitations in three or more areas of the following major life activities: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency; and reflects the need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment or other services that are of lifelong or extended duration;
2. If applied to a minor from birth to age five, a substantial developmental delay or a specific congenital or acquired condition with a high probability of resulting in a developmental disability.

Fair Hearing

A state level review of beneficiaries' disagreements with CMHSP, CA, or PIHP denial, reduction, suspension, or termination of Medicaid services. State administrative law judges who are independent of the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) perform the reviews.  

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

This legislation is aimed, in part, at protecting the privacy and confidentially of patient information. "Patient" means any recipient of public or private health care services, including care for mental health and substance use disorders.

MDCH

An acronym for Michigan Department of Community Health. This state department, located in Lansing, oversees publicly-funded services provided in local communities and state facilities for individuals with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders.

Medically Necessary

A term used to describe one of the criteria that must be met in order for a beneficiary to receive Medicaid services. It means that the specific service is expected to help the beneficiary with his/her mental health, developmental disability or substance use (or any other medical) condition. Some services assess needs and some services help maintain or improve functioning. PIHPs are unable to authorize (pay for) or provide services that are not determined as medically necessary for you.

Michigan Mental Health Code

The state law that governs public mental health services provided to adults and children with mental illnesses, serious emotional disturbances, and developmental disabilities by local community mental health services programs and in state facilities.

MIChild

A Michigan health care program for low-income children who are not eligible for the Medicaid program. This is a limited benefit. Contact Customer Services for more information.

PIHP

An acronym for Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan. There are 18 PIHPs in Michigan that manage the Medicaid services for mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders in their geographic areas. All 18 PIHPs are also community mental health services programs.

Recovery

A journey of healing and change allowing a person to live a meaningful life in a community of their choice, while working toward their full potential.

Resiliency

The ability to "bounce back." This is a characteristic important to nurture in children with serious emotional disturbances and their families. It refers to the individual's ability to become successful despite challenges they may face throughout their life.

Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED)

An acronym for Serious Emotional Disturbance, and as defined by the Michigan Mental Health Code, means a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder affecting a child that exists or has existed during the past year for a period of time sufficient to meet diagnostic criteria specified in the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; and has resulted in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits the child's role or functioning in family, school or community activities.

Serious Mental Illness (SMI)

As defined by the Michigan Mental Health Code, SMI is a diagnosable mental, behavioral or emotional disorder affecting an adult that exists or has existed within the past year for a period of time sufficient to meet diagnostic criteria specified in the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; and that has resulted in function impairment that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.

Specialty Supports and Services

A term that means Medicaid-funded mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse supports and services that are managed by the Pre-Paid Inpatient Health Plans.

Substance Use Disorder (or substance abuse)

As defined in the Michigan Public Health Code, SUD means the taking of alcohol or other drugs at dosages that place an individual's social, economic, psychological, and physical welfare in potential hazard or to the extent that an individual loses the power of self-control as a result of the use of alcohol or drugs, or while habitually under the influence of alcohol or drugs, endangers public health, morals, safety, or welfare, or a combination thereof.