Negotiating DCO Contracts
For CCBHCs that rely on Designated Collaborating Organizations to deliver some of their required services, negotiating strong contracts will be a critical component of success. Contracts must be written in such a way as to ensure strong care coordination relationships, outline the scope of data sharing and reporting, ensure proper payment, and facilitate compliance reporting to minimize the risk for fraud and abuse. These are brand-new waters for most community behavioral health organizations. Even if you have current relationships with community providers, CCBHCs will need to carefully review the contractual terms and elevate the partnership to meet the standards for CCBHC-DCO relationships. Learn how to negotiate DCO contracts through our resources and consulting options below.
RESOURCES FROM THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
Webinars:
Emerging Compliance Hotspots for CCBHCs Pt. 3: Care Coordination and Arrangements with Designated Collaborating Organizations
Consultants
Susannah Vance Gopalan
A partner with the firm, Susannah focuses on health care litigation and regulatory counseling, with a distinct focus on Medicaid and the new coverage [...]
Read MoreA partner with the firm, Susannah focuses on health care litigation and regulatory counseling, with a distinct focus on Medicaid and the new coverage options under the Affordable Care Act. Susannah has extensive experience negotiating Medicaid waivers and managed care arrangements. She advises clients on Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement and compliance issues and works with health centers, local governments, primary care associations, and the National Association of Community Health Centers on Medicaid and Medicare policy issues and administration. She also counsels health care providers on their responsibilities as Exchange network providers and as Navigators supporting the enrollment of uninsured individuals.
Susannah brings detailed regulatory research and analysis as well as knowledge about the regulatory process to bear on both transactions and litigation for her clients. Susannah is able to help clients understand the larger context in which federal health care programs operate. She has guided health centers through Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Department of Health and Human Services audits and investigations, and also recently reached a settlement in major Medicaid litigation.
