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On Demand

MARRCH 2024 Legislative Overview

Total Credits: 1.0 including 1.0 BOP, 1.0 BOSW, 1.0 LADC, 1.0 LPC/LPCC, 1.0 MBMFT, 1.0 UMICAD

Average Rating:
   2
Speaker:
Mr. Brian Zirbes
Format:
Audio and Video
License:
Access for 3 month(s) after purchase.
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Description

MARRCH had a very successful 2024 legislative session with all of our policy only proposals passing, and a 3% rate increase for residential programs! Both omnibus bills passed before the deadline at the MN State Legislature and they have been signed by Governor Walz.  This presentation will provide an overview of SUD changes that passed including: 

  • 3% increase for residential SUD programs 

  • Expanding licensing options by adding "master’s degree" to 148F 

  • Reducing program burden by: 

  • eliminating licensing candidates from ratio; 

  • reducing hours for medical enhancement from two to one hour per client per week; 

  • changing the co-occurring enhancement from employing 25% of counseling staff to "employ a mental health professional"; 

  • residential documentation changes allowing billing at the provided level if a clients hours are low but the program is trying to get them engaged; and 

  • allowing hours in a treatment week to be reduced in observance of a federal holiday. 

  • Improving client access including behavioral health fund affidavit and span of eligibility timelines reduced. 

  • Paperwork Reduction report released by December 2024. 

Learning Objectives 

  • Gain an understanding of legislative changes that will impact SUD services 

  • Plan and prepare for changes that will be occurring in the next year. 

  • Identify areas of questions and concerns that DHS needs to provide further clarification on. 

Speaker

Mr. Brian Zirbes

VP of Policy, Compliance, and Government Relations

MARRCH

Brian Zirbes has a master’s degree with a dual focus in adolescent counseling and alcohol and other drug addictions. For more than 20 years, he has focused his career on behavioral health. He has held direct service and leadership roles in community mental health clinics, detoxification programs, Substance Use Disorder programs, and the MN Department of Human Services. In his current role as Executive Director of MARRCH, he leads MN's largest trade association of Substance Use Disorder programs and professionals with membership impacting 150 organizations and more than 2,500 licensed professionals. In these roles he has utilized his leadership skills, experience in change management, and drive for innovation and outcomes to champion systems improvement to create a system of care that will be person-centered and attain positive outcomes for the people we serve. 

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