Ambulance providers should use appropriate modifiers for transportation to or from crisis stabilization units

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network recognize crisis stabilization units as therapeutic sites. Crisis stabilization units provide immediate behavioral health support and treatment services in a therapeutic setting to individuals in acute behavioral health distress who require urgent care beyond what an outpatient behavioral health provider can provide. Crisis stabilization units can help to deescalate a person’s level of distress, prevent, or treat a behavioral health crisis, and reduce acute symptoms of a behavioral health condition.

Diagnostic or therapeutic sites are recognized by the origin or destination with a “D.” Effective April 1, 2024, ambulance providers should report the following modifiers for Basic Life Support, or BLS, emergency ambulance services with an origin or destination for a crisis stabilization unit:

• DH  ̶  From the crisis stabilization unit to the hospital
• HD  ̶  From the hospital to the crisis stabilization unit
• RD  ̶  From the residence to the crisis stabilization unit
• SD  ̶  From scene of an accident to the crisis stabilization unit