GenIC #64 (Revision): Federal Meta-Analysis Support: Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder Demonstrations

Attachment 3.c. MCO and Behavioral Health Provider Stakeholder Interview
Introductory Email from State Medicaid Director
To:

MCO leader (or behavioral health provider leader)

CC:

RTI SUD Team Lead

Subject:

RTI International Evaluation of Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder
Demonstrations

Dear [MCO leader/BH provider leader],
Our state received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to
implement a section 1115 substance use disorder (SUD) demonstration. States with section 1115
SUD demonstrations are required to conduct independent evaluations of their demonstrations
and report monitoring data regularly. To complement individual state evaluations and
monitoring, the CMS has contracted with RTI International to conduct a meta-evaluation of SUD
demonstrations. This evaluation will look across states with SUD demonstrations
to understand the demonstrations’ effectiveness and how the context in which demonstrations are
implemented lead to differences in effectiveness.
As part of the evaluation, RTI is conducting telephone interviews with [MCO/behavioral health
provider leadership] in states implementing SUD demonstrations. We welcome you to participate
in an interview to share your insights and support the meta-evaluation. This interview will take
no more than 60 minutes.
Interviews will cover implementation of patient placement criteria, Medicaid billing and
reimbursement, care coordination, transitions in care, care integration, recovery support services,
and residential MAT. Your insights on the section 1115 SUD demonstration are important and
will be used by policymakers as well as other Medicaid programs in improving Medicaid SUD
services and developing resources and supports for MCOs, behavioral health organizations, and
providers.
We recognize you are facing unprecedented challenges related to COVID-19 and will work to
minimize the burden on you. RTI will ensure flexible interview scheduling, in which you can
choose the date and time that best fits your schedule.
RTI will follow up with you via email to schedule a time for the first telephone interview. The
calls will be conducted from [DATE RANGE]. We appreciate your participation in this
important evaluation. Please contact RTI at [INSERT PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL] if you
have questions.
Thank you,
[NAME OF MEDICAID STATE DIRECTOR]