By Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) extended the timeline for providers and the public to submit feedback on the Behavioral Health Service Definitions for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. DHHS is also receiving feedback on the Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder, and Applied Behavior Analysis Provider Manual. The public comment period for both has been extended to Jan. 31, 2026.
Nebraskans are highly encouraged to submit recommended changes to the current drafts. Public comments are essential to the process and are an opportunity for individuals, practitioners, caregivers and all citizens to contribute insights on what is important and necessary to fit the needs of all Nebraskans. DHHS extended the public comment period to ensure key stakeholders have sufficient time to review the changes and assess operational impacts to service providers and communities.
The DHHS Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) and the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care (MLTC) are updating the service definitions of community-based behavioral health services with the purpose of modernizing standards of services, specifying documentation requirements, clarifying expectations, implementing best practices and ensuring service definitions are consistent across both divisions.
The Nebraska-Division of Behavioral Health Service Definition Manual for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders contains services exclusively funded by the Division of Behavioral Health. The link to the document is here: http://dhhs.ne.gov/BHservicedefinitionmanualDRAFT
Feedback and comments for this manual can be provided at DHHS.BehavioralHealthDivision@nebraska.gov. Please include “ATTN: Public Comment- Service Definition” in the subject line of written comments.
The DHHS Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder, and Applied Behavior Analysis Provider Manual contains service definitions shared between the Division of Behavioral Health and the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term care. The link to review this document is located here: https://dhhs.ne.gov/MLTCbehavioralhealthprovidermanualDRAFT
Feedback and comments for this manual can be provided at DHHS.MedicaidMHSU@nebraska.gov. Please include “ATTN: Public Comment- Service Definition” in the subject line of written comments.
All comments received by DHHS will be reviewed and considered by both divisions. Feedback and comments for this manual can be submitted by Jan. 31, 2026.