Interoperability Program for Behavioral Health Providers

This RFA is being issued by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), for an Interoperability Program for Behavioral Health Providers. The purpose of the program is to provide investment in the hardware, software, and training needed for Behavioral Health providers to adopt, implement, upgrade, or optimize their Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. Eligible applicants must be Medicaid provider organizations that have adjudicated claims within FY21-FY23 and are licensed under COMAR 10.21 and/or 10.63 as substance use, mental health, or integrated behavioral health programs. Applicants will select from three program tracks depending on their needs: Track 1 - Adopt & Implement a New EHR, Track 2 - Implement & Upgrade an Existing EHR, and Track 3 - Upgrade/Optimize an Existing EHR. All tracks include connecting providers to Maryland's Health Information Exchange (CRISP). The evaluation will be based on the applicant's ability to meet the mandatory requirements and select the appropriate program track. The application deadline is May 14, 2024, and the Department intends to make multiple awards as a result of this RFA.

The RFA is open to eligible Medicaid provider organizations, and the Department will not be pre-qualifying applicants or hosting a pre-bid conference. The resulting contract will be a firm fixed price agreement, and applicants must submit a budget that addresses the organization's financial feasibility to sustain the EHR beyond the initial investment. Successful applicants will be required to provide monthly or quarterly programmatic reports and financial requests for reimbursement, as well as report on specific healthcare quality metrics. The available funding range is $3.5 million, and the Department intends to make multiple awards from this RFA.