Problem Gambling Treatment Provider Request for Proposal (RFP) Timeline

Each year the Minnesota Department of Human Services seeks qualified providers to provide treatment for problem gambling, including assessment, treatment, and recovery services to Minnesota residents who have problem gambling or a gambling disorder. Services may include counseling and service coordination to families and significant others. Financial assistance is available to Minnesota residents who have no other sources of payment for these services.

Qualifying responders to this RFP will contract with the STATE to provide treatment services to Minnesota residents who meet diagnostic criteria for problem gambling or a gambling disorder. A successful responder will also provide service coordination and counseling services to family members and significant others negatively affected by the individual who has problem gambling or a gambling disorder.

Please refer to the following provisional time table for an overview of the process. This timeline, may be subject to change.

October – December 15 Publishing of RFP, responders’ conferences, proposal deadline December 15

December – January Proposals reviewed, applications completed, notices of award issued Draft grant contract for new providers

February – May Finalize contracts by June 1st; fully executed contracts in place to start July 1st.

Fee for service – Grant contracts awarded to non-residential gambling treatment providers reimburse for services rendered. Funds are not issued as advances or for up front startup expenses. Below is the fee schedule for service types.

Program Service Type	(1) Assessment/ Diagnostic Workups	(2) Individual Hourly per person	(3) Family/ Marital Hourly per session	(4) Group/ Aftercare Hourly per person
Rate	$200	$72.11	$72.11	$35.03

Reimbursement for residential services:

• Assessments $200.00
• Per Diem/Dally Rate: $204.53

Eligible Applicants must: (must meet ONE of the qualifications 1 through 4 AND qualification 5)

1. be a fully licensed counselor as an alcohol and drug treatment counselor,
2. a psychologist, a social worker,
3. a marriage and family therapist,
4. or as psychiatric nurse
5. and a copy of professional certificate demonstrating 60 hours of problem gambling training conforming to the requirements of rule 9585.0040.

Acceptable Problem Gambling Disorder Treatment Settings and Modalities

1. DHS endorses individual counseling, group counseling, and family counseling as types of appropriate treatment.
2. Non-residential providers shall make referrals to residential treatment if the client needs more intensive residential treatment services.
3. To be reimbursed by the State, all counseling must be delivered in the counselor’s professional office or in another professional office setting, or by telehealth as determined by State authorized representative.
4. The State does not endorse in person treatment at the client’s home residence.
5. Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and related techniques are most frequently used by the gambling treatment providers. A small number of approved DHS providers use psychodynamic psychotherapy techniques.
6. Screen for co-occurring substance use disorder and for co-occurring mental health disorder using a screening tool appropriate and sanctioned by licensees’ oversight, for each client served by the program.
7. Other treatment modalities are allowed if the practicing clinician is certified or licensed in that technique, the technique is within the clinical scope of the practice, and research has shown that technique to be effective in the treatment of problem gambling disorders.
8. Counselors must utilize culturally responsive strategies whenever indicated. If counselors have difficulty serving an individual due to the counselor’s lack of knowledge regarding the client’s cultural needs, please seek technical assistance from DHS Problem Gambling Program staff.
9. Concurrent and consecutive referrals to support groups is strongly recommended by DHS.

Reimbursement Policy

1. To be reimbursed by the State, all counseling/treatment must be delivered in the counselor’s professional office or in another professional office setting, or by telehealth as determined by State authorized representative.
2. DHS will ONLY reimburse for eligible clients who are Minnesota residents.
3. DHS Problem Gambling Program is the payor of last resort.
4. If the client’s insurance will partially pay for treatment costs, DHS will pay the balance, up to the total DHS fee schedule reimbursement rate. (The exception to this rule is a Medicare client. DHS cannot pay more than what Medicare pays. For Medicare clients, what you receive from Medicare is the total you may receive.)

Provider Responsibilities

1. To create a unique client record number following the DAANES formula for each individual served under this program.
2. To maintain records, which fully disclose the extent of services provided to individuals under this program in accordance with Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.2160 to 9505.2245. Grantee will maintain an individual record for each invoiced client, to include, but is not limited to the date of service provided and a description of the service provided.
3. To assume full responsibility for the accuracy of claims submitted and to furnish the State with such information as it may request regarding payments claimed for services provided under this program.
4. To perform a court ordered gambling assessment upon request (Minnesota Rules, parts 9585.0010 - 9585.0040).
5. To ensure that DHS Problem Gambling Program is the payor of last resort by ascertaining the legal and financial liabilities of third parties to pay for covered services, and by determining the client’s ability to pay. The Grantee must credit DHS Problem Gambling Program for third party payments received.
6. Comply with state and federal laws protecting the privacy of health information. Ensure that the client signs a release of information acknowledging that some of the client’s personal data will be submitted to DHS for the purpose of billing and site visit requirements. This release must be retained in the client’s file.
7. To comply with all federal statutes, implementing regulations and guidance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion and disability and to comply with the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
8. Cooperate with any State sponsored research, which may occur. Research is critical to the continued improvement of our program and to the better understanding of the problem gambler. If research occurs, the client must have a full understanding of the purpose of the research, as well as the confidentiality limits. The client will have the right to opt out of research participation if he or she wishes.
9. Comply with all federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion and disability, sexual orientation, and status with regard to direct service access and public assistance.
10. Each treatment provider must maintain professional licensure and copies of current, active-status professional licensure must be submitted to the DHS Problem Gambling Program.
11. Adhere to the Code of Ethics as required by the counselor’s professional licensing board.
12. Maintain professional malpractice/liability insurance as required by DHS.
13. To notify DHS Problem Gambling Program staff at dhs.problemgamblingprogram@state.mn.us if your practice is going to be experiencing an event that may result in business interruption and/or closure.