New Jersey officials briefed providers as Phase 1’s transition period ended, reviewing policy changes, prior authorization and behavioral health resources.
Provider session on behavioral health integration
The New Jersey Department of Human Services described a March 2026 information session for providers marking the end of the Phase 1 transition period for NJ FamilyCare Behavioral Health Integration. According to the department, the session included welcome and housekeeping remarks, context on the transition period, and discussion of post-transition policy changes.
The department identified Shanique McGowan Power, Behavioral Health Program Manager at DMAHS, and Steve Tunney, Director of Behavioral Health at DMAHS, as presenters on transition-period context and post-transition policy changes. The session also included a state question-and-answer period.
Services included in Phase 1
According to the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Phase 1 of behavioral health integration began on January 1, 2025. The department said this phase integrated behavioral health services into managed care through a phased approach.
The department listed the covered Phase 1 service areas as mental health outpatient counseling and psychotherapy; mental health partial hospitalization; mental health partial care in an outpatient clinic; and mental health outpatient hospital or clinic services.
For substance use disorder services, the department listed outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient services, outpatient clinic services including ambulatory withdrawal management, peer support services, care management, and partial care.
Authorization and managed care discussions
The New Jersey Department of Human Services said the provider session included a prior authorization refresher. The department identified Geralyn Molinari, Director of Managed Provider Relations, and Jana Lang, Behavioral Health Program Manager, as presenters for that portion of the agenda.
According to the department, the session also included a summary of resources and next steps. Managed care organization question-and-answer breakouts were held with Aetna, Fidelis Care, Horizon NJ Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Wellpoint.
The department said session materials and a recording were to be published on the DMAHS website.
What this means for New Jersey patients
The department’s briefing signals that providers were being updated on the end of Phase 1’s transition period and on authorization and managed-care processes for the behavioral health services listed by the state. For people looking for treatment locally, this directory lists 163 published clinics in New Jersey and can help identify available options.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More New Jersey reporting on access & coverage.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.