Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs)

Revised: July 6, 2022

A Recovery Community Organization (RCO) is an independent organization led and governed by representatives of local communities of recovery. An RCO provides the following:

· Resource coordination within and outside of the recovery community to increase the frequency and quality of long-term recovery from substance use disorders.

· Peer-based recovery support activities, such as training recovery peers.

· Mentorship and ongoing support to people dealing with substance use disorders, including connecting them with resources to support their recovery.

· Recovery-focused promotion and outreach programming in community education.

· Recovery-focused policy advocacy activities to foster healthy communities and reduce the stigma of substance use disorders.

RCOs are not required to obtain licensure to enroll as an eligible Minnesota Health Care Programs provider for recovery peer support services, but they must meet fidelity standards through membership in the Association of Recovery Community Organizations (ARCO) or be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Peer Recovery Support Services (CAPRSS). If ARCO membership or CAPRSS accreditation is denied, then an RCO may request reconsideration directly from the Commissioner on whether it meets the fidelity standards. To request reconsideration, an RCO must submit all application and related materials previously submitted to ARCO or CAPRSS to DHS.Peer.Support.Services@state.mn.us.

How to Enroll

RCOs who wish to enroll with MHCP or make enrollment requests can do so in one of the following two ways.

· Register to access the Minnesota Provider Screening and Enrollment (MPSE) portal and complete your enrollment online using the MPSE portal. Also, upload the following in the MPSE portal:

· Provider Agreement (DHS-4138) (PDF)

· Behavioral Health Fund (BHF) Provider Assurance Statement (DHS-3491)

· Proof of meeting fidelity standards through ARCO membership, CAPRSS accreditation, or approval of reconsideration by the Commissioner.

· Proof of general liability insurance in the amount of $2 million for each occurrence. (Certificate holder on the liability certificate must be: DHS Provider Eligibility and Compliance, P.O. Box 64987, St. Paul, MN 55164)

· Proof of employee dishonesty bond in the amount of $10,000 if the provider has custody or control of money or property belonging to a client

or

· Complete the following documents required to enroll and fax your materials to MHCP Provider Eligibility and Compliance at 651-431-7462.

· Organization – Provider Enrollment Application (DHS-4016A) (PDF)

· Proof of meeting fidelity standards through ARCO membership, CAPRSS accreditation, or approval on reconsideration by the Commissioner.

· Disclosure of Ownership and Control Interest (DHS-5259) (PDF)

· Proof of general liability insurance in the amount of $2 million for each occurrence.(Certificate holder on the liability certificate must be: DHS Provider Eligibility and Compliance, P.O. Box 64987, St. Paul, MN 55164)

· Proof of employee dishonesty bond in the amount of $10,000 if the provider has custody or control of money or property belonging to a client

· Provider Agreement (DHS-4138) (PDF)

· Behavioral Health Fund (BHF) Provider Assurance Statement (DHS-3491)

Along with completing the enrollment using the MPSE portal or by faxing the completed forms, RCOs must pay the application fee.

Review and keep a copy of the MHCP Data Privacy Notice (DHS-6287) (PDF).

We process forms in order of date received. Whether enrolling using the MPSE portal or by fax, allow 30 days for processing. If we need more information to complete your enrollment, we will send a request for more information (RFMI) letter via your MN–ITS mailbox or U.S. Postal Service telling you what you need to do to complete your enrollment.

Revalidation

MHCP is required to follow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final federal provider screening regulations.

Refer to Revalidation in the Provider Screening Requirements section of the MHCP Provider Manual for more information about how to complete your revalidation.

Reporting Changes

Report any changes made on a provider record to MHCP Provider Eligibility and Compliance. Refer to Changes to Enrollment in the Enroll with MHCP section of the MHCP Provider Manual for details.

Additional Resources

Minnesota Statutes 254B.01, subdivision 8 (Recovery Community organization)
Minnesota Statutes 254B.05, subdivision 1(d) (Vendor Eligibility - recovery community organizations)
Minnesota Statutes 245G.07, subdivision 2(8) (Peer Recovery Support Services)
Minnesota Statutes 245G.11, subdivision 8 (Recovery peer qualifications)