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Barry County mental health director reports new billing system, hiring and service expansion plans
Summary
Barry County Community Mental Health Director Rich Thiemkey reported audit outcomes, said a psychiatric nurse practitioner was hired (bringing on‑site providers to two), and that CCBHC services began direct billing after new software was implemented Oct. 1; he also referenced a court ruling about PIHP bid processes.
Rich Thiemkey, director of Barry County Community Mental Health, updated the Board on Nov. 10 on staffing, audits and billing changes intended to expand local mental health services.
Thiemkey said recent audits of prevention, clinical and clerical teams were completed and reported outcomes to the Board. He announced the hiring of a psychiatric nurse practitioner, bringing county on‑site provider capacity to two clinicians, and said the department plans to expand group sessions, broaden the list of approved insurance providers and increase staff and volunteer training.
Thiemkey told commissioners that Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) services will now be billed and paid directly; the change required the implementation of new billing and data software, which went live on Oct. 1. He also provided an update on a court ruling regarding bids for Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP) systems, but the minutes do not provide details of the ruling or next steps.
Why it matters: Direct billing of CCBHC services and added clinical staff can affect cash flow and service capacity for county mental health programs. Board members did not record dissent and no formal action was required at the Nov. 10 meeting.
What’s next: Thiemkey outlined operational plans to expand services; the Board did not set a formal vote or deadline in the minutes.
