In last month’s newsletter, we shared that MassHealth’s Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) will introduce its new Family-based Intensive Treatment (FIT) program. Since then, the state updated the launch date to Oct. 1 and provided final direction on FIT notification and authorization requirements.
Effective for dates of service beginning Oct. 1, 2025:
- Notification will be required for the first seven days of service and must be submitted within three business days from the first date of service.
- Prior authorization must be obtained for coverage to continue beyond the first seven days of service.
We’ve updated Point32Health’s Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative Family-based Intensive Treatment (FIT) Medical Necessity Guidelines to reflect the state’s requirements.
As a reminder, FIT will provide youth (under the age of 21) with serious emotional disturbance (SED) and their parents/caregivers with the treatment and support necessary to keep them at home safely and connect them with ongoing outpatient and/or community-based programs. You can learn more about FIT and other CBHI initiatives on the mass.gov website.