855-MD-BHIPP
855-632-4477 M-F 9AM-5PM
Consultation Warmline
CONSULTATION OVERVIEW
Child mental health specialists are available Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm (except major holidays) to provide consultation in many areas of behavioral health including medication management, diagnostic issues, developmental delays, school/learning issues, autism spectrum disorders, trauma, and early childhood mental health. Our behavioral health consultant can also assist with identifying local resources, including information on wait times and accepted insurances. Our consultants can be reached by calling 855-MD-BHIPP (855-632-4477).
FAQ
Who can use BHIPP's services?
BHIPP's services are available to primary care and emergency medicine professionals, including: pediatricians, family physicians, Emergency department physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, school nurses, and other health professionals who provide primary care or emergency care for children and adolescents. Mental health providers who are co-located in pediatric primary care or emergency settings may also access BHIPP services.
How do I sign up for BHIPP?
Is there a fee?
BHIPP is free to all Maryland pediatric primary care and emergency medicine professionals. This program is funded by the Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration. Consultation may be sought for all children and youth regardless of insurance coverage.
What types of questions may I ask?
Primary care and emergency medicine professionals may call regarding general topics in child psychiatry and behavioral health (e.g., diagnosis and treatment of a specific disorder, use of a particular medication), or questions may be patient-specific. We can also help identify local community referral options for children and youth for management outside of the primary care or emergency department setting. Information about available services, wait times, and accepted insurances will all be provided to you within 24 hours of your request.
Who will I speak with during a consultation?
BHIPP is staffed by a team of professionals with extensive experience in the care and treatment of children and youth with psychiatric disorders. Calls are answered by a licensed, masters-level behavioral health consultant who can assist with resources, referrals, and general questions regarding children’s mental health. Calls that require consultation are triaged to a child and adolescent psychiatrist on the BHIPP team.
What is the response time for a consultation?
BHIPP operates during normal business hours (M-F, 9am-5pm). During those hours your call will be answered immediately by a behavioral health consultant who can assist with resources, referrals, and general mental health questions. Calls that require a consultation with a psychiatrist or other specialist will be returned at a time that is convenient for you within 24 hours.
What information will I need when I call?
The behavioral health consultant (BHC) will ask you for a brief description of why you are calling. For case specific consultations, the BHC will ask for the patient’s age, gender, race, and insurance coverage, as well as any pertinent history, including current/previous treatment, medication regimen, and current diagnosis. During your consultation with a psychiatrist, you may be asked additional questions to assist in providing the best consultation possible.
What documentation will I receive after consulting with someone on the team?
Following your consultation you will receive a written summary of the consultation, along with any relevant resources and referral information that you may have requested. This will be sent to you via fax or email (based on your request) within 24 hours of your consultation call.
Can families call the BHIPP line?
The BHIPP line is designed to be a resource for primary care and emergency medicine professionals. Consulting with families is outside the scope of our service. Therefore, we will redirect families to have their PCPs or emergency medicine providers call us if they would like to utilize our consultation line.
About Us
BHIPP is supported by funding from the Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration and operates as a collaboration between the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Salisbury University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
BHIPP and this website are also supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,379,327 with approximately 20% financed by non-governmental sources. The contents of this website are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. For more information, visit www.hrsa.gov.
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