Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Services

Triage Line
UCare’s Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services (MSS) Triage Phone Line is available to all UCare member’s, care coordinators and mental health, substance use disorder and primary care providers. The Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services Triage Line is designed to support our member’s needs, such as:

• Crisis Intervention
• Assist with scheduling appointments, including telehealth
• Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Referrals
• Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Management Consultation
• Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Provider In-Network and Specialty Search
• Identification and Connection to Community Resources

The MSS Triage Phone Line is available Monday through Friday 8 am - 5 pm and can be reached at 612-676-6533 and 1-833-276-1185 (toll-free) with after hours support available.

Direct Access Line
UCare’s Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Team supports members facing mental health and substance use disorder challenges. We know that for members accessing care, trying to find their way through the system can be challenging. Our goal is to de-complicate that process, while advocating and facilitating access to appropriate care for members’ mental health, substance use and social factors.

We have added a direct access phone line for members in need of a mental health or substance use disorder appointment. This unique service is embedded as a prompt within the triage line or can be accessed directly through the number below. We also provide referrals to community agencies for social factors. Our access coordinators work with a member’s unique and individual situation to schedule an appointment either virtually or in person. We also follow up with the member after their appointment to check in and see if they have additional needs.

UCare’s Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Access Line is available to all UCare members to help with the following:

• Same or next day appointment availability
• Triaging members’ appointment needs
• Assistance scheduling and confirming appointments
• Telehealth appointments
• Connection to community agencies that can help with social needs

UCare’s Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Access Line is available Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm at 612-676-6811 or 1-833-276-1191. When a member calls after hours they have the option to either be transferred to a clinician if they are in crisis or they may leave a message for a call back the next day.

UCare does not require a referral for members to see specialists within their plan network, and members may directly access medically necessary care within their plan benefits.

If a member needs a service or procedure listed in the Authorization and Notification Requirement Grids, an authorization or notification must be submitted prior to providing the service. Additional information about authorizations can be found in the provider manual.

For services indicated as notifications, the provider must notify UCare within the timeframe stated. Failure to obtain authorization in advance or follow notification requirements may result in claim payment delays and potential provider liability denials.

For details about which mental health and substance use disorder services require an authorization or notification, please reference the Authorizations page under Resources & Information, then UCare 2020 and 2021 Authorization & Notification Grids.

For questions about authorizations or notifications, call the Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Intake Team at 612-676-6533 or 1-855-260-9710.

UCare’s Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Services Intake team can also be reached via email at MHSUDservices@ucare.org or by fax at 612-884-2033.

As a mental health, substance use disorder or primary care provider, you may need to refer a member to case management. The goal for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services Case Management (MH & SUD CM) is to provide member centric advocacy and access to appropriate care for member’s mental health, substance use and/or social needs. UCare’s case management team engages directly with the member to work with them on their goals.

If you would like to refer a member to MH & SUD Case Management, please complete the MH & SUD Case Management referral form on this page. If the member does not meet criteria for MH & SUD Case Management, there is an option to consult with a MH & SUD Case Manager to discuss the member’s mental health and substance use care needs via UCare’s MH & SUD Services Triage Phone Line at 612-676-6533 and 1-833-276-1185 (toll-free).

UCare believes in ensuring the most safe and effective care for our members. The Minnesota Restricted Recipient Program (MRRP) is a program for Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) recipients, developed and operated under the direction of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) for recipients who have used services at a frequency or amount that is not medically necessary or in the best interest of the health of these individuals.

For full details about the Restricted Recipient Program and referral forms, please reference the provider manual or the Authorizations page under Resources & Information, then Restricted Recipient Program.

UCare values the continued collaboration and partnerships we have with our providers, stakeholder groups, counties, regulators, grants and initiatives throughout the state of Minnesota.

The MSS Community and Provider Liaison and the MSS Program and Policy Coordinator

• Facilitate Communication
• Advance Relationships
• Explore Grant Funding Opportunities
• Share information amongst partner organizations
• Address concerns and support recommendations for collaboration
• Participating in community/regional collaboratives, stakeholder groups or workgroups

Providers and County representatives should feel welcome to contact:

Mika Baer, MSS Program and Policy Coordinator
mbaer@ucare.org

Leon Flack, MSS Provider and Community Liaison
lflack@ucare.org