Selling a behavioral health practice in Ohio

OhioMHAS certification does not move with the business

Community mental health and addiction services providers in Ohio operate under OhioMHAS certification. Under the certification rules, certificates are not transferable to any other person, corporation, owner, or entity, including a person or entity that buys the certified program's corporate or managing entity. Providers must also notify the department and the local alcohol, drug addiction and mental health services board in writing of changes in operations.

That rule is stricter than in many states, where buying the entity keeps the certificate in place. In Ohio, plan for the buyer's certification as part of closing, and agree in the purchase agreement who handles notices to OhioMHAS and the local board, and when.

ABA therapy: certified analysts and Medicaid

Ohio regulates behavior analysts through the State Board of Psychology. To become a certified Ohio behavior analyst, an applicant must show current Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification or equivalent requirements and a qualifying exam. Buyers will check every analyst's Ohio certificate alongside BACB status.

Ohio Medicaid covers ABA for members under 21 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when it is medically necessary. Buyers look at your split between Medicaid managed care and commercial insurance, authorization trends with each plan, and analyst tenure and caseload.

Outpatient mental health

Therapy and psychiatry practices are valued on clinicians and payer contracts: how many clinicians are credentialed with each commercial and Medicaid managed care plan, how much volume you personally carry, and how stable clinician tenure has been. If your practice holds OhioMHAS certification to bill Medicaid community behavioral health services, the non-transferability rule above applies to you too.

What Ohio buyers underwrite

These items move price the most in Ohio.

Certification path

How and when the buyer obtains OhioMHAS certification, and local board notices.

Clinician credentials

Ohio licenses and behavior analyst certificates, tenure, and caseload.

Payer contracts

Medicaid managed care and commercial contracts in the practice's name.

Documentation

Treatment plans and service notes that support every billed unit.