Read answers to frequently asked provider questions in the Choices Provider Network Handbook or click on the topics below. For more information related to Claims, visit our Claims page. It includes a VIP user guide as well as Claims FAQs.
Providers complete invoices electronically through the Vendor Information Portal. Refer to the VIP User Guide or CMHI Invoice Instructions for step-by-step directions.
No, once the youth is enrolled with Choices Cross System Care Coordination program, Choices becomes responsible for all payments for services that are pre-approved, including discretionary funds.
Once a provider is enrolled into the Choices Electronic Health Record system, a Vendor ID is generated. A Vendor ID is the number used to identify you in the billing system and will be provided to you by Choices. This number is different from any DCS ID number.
You may contact your local Choices clinical team for this ID number.
All services must qualify as “Covered Services” in order to be paid by Choices under the Agreement.
Providers will receive payment by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or by check through the United States Postal Service. The Direct Deposit Form will be provided to you separate from this manual.
The terms and conditions of payment are listed in your Master Agreement unless otherwise noted by the local Provider Relations Team.
Most professional providers entering the Choices network will sign a Master Provider Agreement and addenda to that contract, which vary based on the state in which services are provided.
Choices and the providers in its network are all subject to the laws and regulations of the state and federal entities that provide funds for these services. Choices has no control over whether those entities will change the laws and regulations, and Choices is obligated to follow those changes and to implement them with its network providers if applicable to them. If Choices becomes aware of a significant change that affects its providers, it will make efforts to let those providers know of that change. However, all providers are obligated to monitor and follow the laws and regulations that apply to them. If a provider determines that it no longer wants to serve Choices clients due to a change in law or regulation, it has the right to terminate its contract with Choices by following the procedure set out in the Master Provider Agreement.
You will receive a checklist at the time of contracting which will identify the documents that Choices will need to complete your credentialing process. While the documents can vary slightly based on state requirements, they typically include the following:
All these documents must be provided to Choices before you can be approved to provide services to youth as part of the Choices network.
No. The results can only be used for the contractor/sub-contractor that is listed on the check. For more information regarding this please refer to the following links on the Indiana DCS website:
Background Check for Department of Child Services (DCS)
National and State Fingerprint Based Criminal History Check
Visit the Indiana Department of Revenue website at this link: https://www.in.gov/dor/4473.htm
Most of Choices’ contracts with state funding agencies require Choices to indemnify the State, and for Choices to pass those obligations on when it contracts with other entities to provide services to youth and families. Therefore, Choices includes this language in its Master Provider Agreement to comply with these state requirements.
Contracts are generally governed by state law. Therefore, a court applying one state law might interpret a contract provision differently than a court applying a different state law to interpret the same language. Because Choices uses the same basic contracts for all of its providers, it needs to be able to predict and understand how those contracts will be interpreted, regardless of the state in which a provider is located. Thus, Choices chose to have its contract governed by the law of one state – Indiana.
The fact that a court will use Indiana law to interpret the contract does not mean that the provider will be subject to Indiana’s requirements for providers. The provider would be subject to the requirements applicable to its operations in the state in which it practices, and the requirements set forth in the contract and addenda. Rather, the designation of Indiana law means that if a dispute arose between Choices and a provider, the person resolving that dispute would look to Indiana statutes and court decisions to see how similar contractual provisions had been interpreted in the past.
For similar reasons, Choices also requires that any disputes be settled in Marion County, Indiana, where Choices’ headquarters are located. Because Choices maintains agreements with providers across multiple states, it would be a huge financial and administrative burden for Choices to travel to those other sites to address any legal dispute which arises. Therefore, Choices’ Master Provider Agreement requires any disputes to be addressed in one central location.
The Choices provider network is non-exclusive, and a provider is not required to take clients upon referral. You can turn down a referral if you choose to do so. If you determine that you no longer want to be part of the Choices network, you can terminate your Master Provider Agreement at any time by providing 30 days written notice. If you leave the network, we ask that you work with Choices to ensure continuity of care for any youth and families you are serving at that time.
No, please refer to your signed Exhibit D, which will reflect the correct codes.
Indiana DCS service standards are available at this link: https://www.in.gov/dcs/3878.htm.
Yes, the Choices Care Coordinator will include the effective date that aligns with the Choices enrollment.
Each youth and family can select providers of their choosing. If you are selected by a youth and family to provide services, you will receive notification from a Care Coordinator of that selection and the type and amount of services which have initially been approved. Please advise the Care Coordinator in a timely manner if you have accepted the referral and will be providing the services. Because Choices promotes “family voice and choice” and its network is non-exclusive, Choices cannot guarantee that any provider will receive a certain type or level of referrals.
No, Choices does not require a referral for reimbursable items. However, reimbursable items must be discussed and approved with the Care Coordinator prior to purchase.
Choices works with providers on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet their contractual requirements.
Choices values its partnerships with the providers in its network and wants to know if a provider has a concern or a grievance relating to services provided to Choices’ clients or any aspect of the provider relations process. We encourage you to reach out to a Care Coordinator, a supervisor, a member of the Provider Relations team, a member of the Claims staff, or another Choices employee with the appropriate knowledge to assist in answering the provider’s questions. Any Choices employee can also assist a provider in filing a formal grievance with Choices upon request. Choices’ grievance procedure is available in the Choices Provider Handbook or on the Vendor Information Portal.
You may contact the main office at Choices to receive the name and number of your Care Coordinator. The main office phone number is 317-726-2121.
Please contact Claims@ChoicesCCS.org.