region/plan-specific news : California

Review these six guidelines for interns/associates who render services

Thank you for participating in the Magellan Healthcare* network. We recognize members’ increased need to access behavioral health services and appreciate your support by utilizing your interns/associates in treating our members.  

To help ensure your claims and documentation capture services that interns/associates render, please keep these guidelines in mind:

Associate/Intern Billing

• Submit claims to reflect the supervising, in-network supervising clinician as the rendering provider.
• Put the HL modifier in the first position on the claim. If applicable, include telehealth modifiers GT or 95 in the second position.
• Refer to the California Provider Handbook Supplement, Section 3: The Role of the Provider and Magellan, Use of Associates and Interns (SB855) for additional requirements.

Treatment Record Documentation 

• The supervising clinician must have regular one-on-one supervision with their intern/associate to review treatment provided to members on an on-going basis. This supervision must be documented in the member’s treatment record and kept on file.
• You must inform members that they are being treated by an intern/associate. The member must sign a written consent to this effect, which you should file in the member’s treatment record. 
• The member’s treatment record should contain the same documentation elements as if a credentialed provider rendered the service but must include both the supervisor’s and intern/associate’s names, credentials and signatures, and the date signed. Refer to Magellan’s Treatment Record Documentation Worksheet (PDF) for guidance related to treatment record requirements.

*In California, Magellan does business as Human Affairs International of California and/or Magellan Health Services of California, Inc. – Employer Services.