Behavioral Health
Nisar provides intensive behavioral health services to children, youth, and young adults, ages 2 to 20, who reside in Allegheny County.
What is IBHS?
Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) are therapeutic interventions and supports provided to children, youth, and young adults in the home, school, or other community setting.
These services are used to increase coping strategies and support skill development to promote positive behaviors.
At Nisar, we offer both individual and group IBHS. Based on the recommendations from a written order or psychological evaluation, supports may include behavior consultation, mobile therapy for individuals and families, and/or one-on-one behavioral health technician services.
Behavior Consultation
A behavior consultant (BC) conducts assessments, develops and oversees the individual treatment plan (ITP), and provides clinical direction. Treatment modalities include behavior modification strategies such as:
reinforcement and consequence programs
time-out procedures
role play and social skills development
time-structuring activities
problem solving techniques
parent training
crisis intervention/management techniques
Mobile Therapy
A mobile therapist (MT) conducts assessments, develops and oversees the individual treatment plan (ITP), and provides individual and family therapy. Treatment modalities include therapies such as:
cognitive behavioral therapy
dialectical behavioral therapy
experiential therapy
humanistic therapy
person-centered therapy
interpersonal therapy
problem-solving therapy
family-focused therapy
Behavioral Health Technician Services
A behavioral health technician (BHT) works one-on-one to implement methods and interventions from the individual treatment plan (ITP).
Treatment modalities, determined for each individual by the ITP, are used to promote positive behaviors and emotional health.
How To Get Started
1
Double check that the individual who will benefit from services has Medical Assistance insurance.
2
Complete a referral form to refer the individual for services. Our team will review the form and contact the family to complete an intake, HIPAA form, and consent for treatment.
3
Following the intake, a licensed therapist will meet virtually with the individual and their family to develop a written order, or prescription to authorize services.
The IBHS Process
Insurance
A child/youth/young adult must have Medical Assistance insurance or behavioral health insurance through MA/FFS or HealthChoices. Children diagnosed with autism that carry Highmark or UPMC commercial insurance may qualify for Act 62 coverage under their commercial insurance, but must also have Medicaid as a secondary insurance to cover co-payments and deductibles. Insurance needs to be renewed annually to maintain services.
Referral / Intake
Any parent or guardian, adolescent (age 14 or older), paraprofessional, or community support personnel (with a current release of information) can make a referral for services. Parent consent is required for children/youth under the age of 14. From there, we work directly with families to complete an intake, gathering background information and service history to help us determine behavioral health care needs and next steps.
Written Order
To be eligible for IBHS, a child/youth/young adult must meet the qualifications for a written order. This document includes:
clinical information to support the medical necessity of individual services
maximum number of hours of each service per month
setting where services may be provided
measurable discharge criteria that indicate when service may be reduced, changed, or discharged
IBHS services can begin within 12 months from the date of the written order. A written order needs to be conducted every 12 months.
Assessment
The lead clinician (BC or MT) will conduct a face-to-face assessment in the home, school, or community setting within 15 days of the onset of services. This assessment, completed in collaboration with the child/youth/young adult and parent or guardian, includes a summary of treatment recommendations. The assessment is reviewed and updated every 12 months or sooner, if requested.
Individual Treatment Plan (ITP)
This detailed plan of treatment is tailored to address the child/youth/young adult’s therapeutic needs. It includes goals, objectives, and interventions for services. The ITP is based on the written order and assessment and is completed within 30 days after the initiation of services.
Reauthorization of Services
Nisar will send memos to families indicating the timeframe to schedule an appointment to assess the need for a continued stay written order. Families are strongly encouraged to schedule during the designated timeframe to avoid a lapse in service. Unfortunately, we cannot provide services once a service period (authorization) lapses.
